Ground Development

In December 2023, MCC applied for planning consent from Westminster City Council to redevelop the Tavern and Allen stands, and is currently awaiting a decision.

Pending planning consent being granted and the project receiving approval from MCC Members, construction is proposed for the winters of 2025-26 and 2026-27, with the new stands to be open for the 2027 major match season.

REASONS FOR DEVELOPMENT

• To update the two oldest stands at Lord's, and bring them into the 21st century.
• To provide at least 1,000 additional seats for Members & Guests.
• To greatly improve accessibility of current Tavern and Allen stands, by installing lifts to all levels.
• To create a third Allen stand floor, with link bridge to Pavilion for Members, by relocating big screen to Tavern stand.
• To establish an improved sense of arrival for those visiting the Ground by removing existing brick wall to the rear of the existing Tavern Stand, which is incongruous to the Grace Gate and Portland Stone curved walls.
• To improve food and beverage facilities of the stands by building pitch facing bars at all levels.
• To create a permanent, larger retail outlet replacing the temporary shop by the Grace Gate.

2019-2021

In 2017 MCC Members voted to develop the Ground from the Club’s own resources without recourse to enabling residential development. The Club continued with plans for the second phase of the Masterplan redeveloping the Compton & Edrich Stands, designed by two-time Stirling Prize winners WilkinsonEyre.

In January 2019, MCC was granted permission by Westminster City Council to construct the two new three-tier stands.

Reasons for Development

• To provide two new modern public seated stands equipped with lifts and amenities which meet current day standards.

• To vastly improve the sightlines and drastically reduce the amount of restricted view seats, while increasing the capacity by 2,600.

• There is a requirement to provide wheelchair positions and amenity seats -- the designs include these accessible seats at all levels of the stands.

• Along with accessible seating, there is a need to provide toilets and changing facilities for spectators with accessibility needs.

• To incorporate food and beverage and washroom facilities within the stands.

• To improve the crowd circulation at the back of the stands.

The new Compton & Edrich Stands

• Construction of the new stands started in late August 2019 and was completed for the 2021 season.

• The three-tier stands accommodate around 11,500 members of the public with a connecting walkway between the two stands overlooking the Nursery Ground – this enables spectators to move between the stands aiding circulation.

• The stands won a Civic Trust award, as well as the Business of Cricket Award for Best Development or New Facility.

2014-2017

The first phase of the Masterplan was completed in 2017 with the construction of the new Warner Stand, built in the two off-seasons from 2015-2016 and 2016-2017. The stand was designed by Populous Architects.
 

Reasons for Development

• To provide Members with a modern stand with facilities that are fit for purpose.
   
• To decrease the number of restricted view seats. While it is impossible to eliminate all restricted view seats in a stadia formed with individual stands, opposed to a circular stadium, the new Warner Stand was designed to reduce restricted view seats from approximately 600 in the old stand to around 100 in the new stand.
   
• There was a significant need to improve the match-control and officials’ facilities in order to continue to be awarded and host major matches.

The new Warner Stand

• There are 2,656 seats on two tiers on a steeper gradient than the previous stand, greatly improving sightlines.
   
• A new match-control room and match officials’ facility which exceeds ICC and ECB standards.
   
• More integrated amenities within the stand, including a pitch facing restaurant, three bars and catering facilities.
   
• The retractable floodlight was relocated and integrated within the stand, to reduce the visual impact of the mast.
   
• Improved access with inclusive facilities for spectators and a greater provision of seats for those with accessibility needs. Wheelchair positions and amenity seating accounts for 4% of the overall capacity, significantly exceeding best practice and standard requirements.
   
• Ground-source heat pumps collects and recycles water, providing water heating and cooling for temperature control, and photovoltaic roof panels to generate electricity.
   
• Living “green” walls to the rear elevation create a garden wall effect.
   
• A large basement accommodates for waste sorting and storage.
   
• A semi-translucent fabric roof is supported by cantilevered oak beams, providing both shade and a high degree of natural light – the style of roof is the first of its kind in the country, using advanced timber technology and a preference for using sustainable, replaceable materials in architecture.

The new Warner Stand was opened by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh on 3rd May 2017. It won an IPC IAKS Distinction Award for accessible sports facilities in November 2019.