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£35m plan to deliver a world-class Oval
Katharine Barney, Evening Standard2 Apr 2008
The Brit Oval cricket ground has won conditional approval for a massive redevelopment to turn it into a world-class sports venue.
Plans for the home of Surrey County Cricket Club include a four star hotel and replacing old stands. It is hoped the £35 million project will be completed in time for the Ashes next year.
The Lock, Laker and Peter May stands will be demolished for a new grandstand, seating an extra 1,632 people, taking the ground's total capacity to just under 25,000.
The Surrey Tavern will also be knocked down to create a piazza and open up the pavilion as the visible face of the cricket club.
But neither the famous gasometers nor the views from neighbouring council flats will be affected.
Initial plans for the site were rejected by Lambeth council because of health and safety concerns, particularly over the work's proximity to the gas tanks. The project has now been approved subject to conditions.
A club spokesman said: "The new developments will not only help to dramatically improve the facilities of the stadium and ensure its Test Match status in future, but will also support the wider regeneration of the area."
The 168-bedroom, five-storey hotel will be positioned next to the pavilion and hospitality suites will become hotel rooms on non-match days.
Lord's is also planning a £200million redevelopment over the next 10 years. Its capacity will increase by 10,000 to 38,500, with all five stands, excluding the listed Victorian pavilion, being rebuilt.
Reader views (1)
Why knock down the Surrey Tavern? It's a good pub. Who needs a piazza? It's just another architectural wheeze that has nothing to do with the traditions of the ground or the game. Why put a hotel on the site, apart from the revenue it would generate? Once again, the tide of vulgarity threatens a London institution.
- Ken, Bexleyheath, UK, 02/04/2008 16:20
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