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| July 16, 2006 | Sunday | Jumadi-ul-Sani 19, 1427 |
Lord’s capacity set for increase
LONDON, July 15: A potential multi-million pound windfall for the MCC, the owners of Lord's, could result in a further increase in cricket ground's capacity.
Plans are afoot to redevelop a strip of land running for 170 metres alongside Wellington Road behind Nursery Ground and not owned by the club.
RL Partnership wants to buy off remaining years on the MCC's lease to build apartments on the land.
According to the Times, the club could earn 40 million from the deal.
Lord's can currently sell about 30,000 tickets for each day of a Test, making it easily the biggest of any cricketing venue in the country.
On other hand, Melbourne Cricket Ground and Eden Gardens, Kolkata, can both get almost 100,000 into the ground.
Laura Garland, MCC deputy head of communications, told BBC Sport: “I don't know what plans have been submitted.
“But MCC spends its money on keeping Lord's world class and, in our opinion, keeping it best ground in the world.
“If it's possible to increase the capacity while maintaining character of the ground then I'm sure it's something we would consider. But we don't want to turn it into a hulking great stadium.”
The land currently comprises Nursery Pavilion and its accompanying hospitality area, plus a car park.
Network Rail are original owners of land, which is directly over Jubilee Line underground railway between St John's Wood and Baker Street.—Agencies
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