May 19, 2007	Saturday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 02, 1428

LONDON, May 18: Lord's will reportedly add 10,000 more seats as part of a proposed redevelopment that could include a hotel, restaurant, tennis courts, apartments and an ice rink at the 183-year-old ground.

British daily The Times reported on Friday that Keith Bradshaw, the new secretary and chief executive of the MCC which owns Lord's, wants to boost the current capacity of the ground from 28,500.

"We've been shown plans that could increase the ground capacity to 35,000 or 40,000, although that might be too many in case the character and ambiance of the ground is altered and it becomes difficult for people to circulate around the ground during a match," Bradshaw told The Times.

Under the plans, which are expected to take 10 years to complete, the sale of the apartments will help fund the redevelopment and also start a cricket academy.

The Tavern Stand will be replaced, while the capacity of the Compton and Edrich Stands will be increased if tests show that longer shadows and changing winds don't adversely affect onfield conditions.

The MCC museum, which houses the Ashes urn, will have its own entrance on St John's Wood Road, although Middlesex will have to give its approval as it leases Lord's from the MCC.

"I am not for or against apartments, and moving the museum will give the public greater access to it," Bradshaw said. —Agencies