Final phase of Lord's cricket ground revamp ‘a significant inconvenience'
St John's Wood tube may have to shut on event days due to extra footfall
Friday, 12th April 2024 — By Tom Foot
How the new ‘Grace Gate’ could look if the plans are approved
PLANNING chiefs are set to consider the demolition of a historic stand at the “Home of Cricket”.
Marylebone Cricket Club have submitted proposals to replace the Allen stand at Lord’s Cricket Ground and create a “link bridge” to the Grade II-listed Pavilion.
The Tavern stand will also be “extended” and include new hospitality facilities at the Thomas Lord suite while the Grace Gate will be transformed, according to the application.
The new stand – which will be four metres higher – will boost maximum attendance at the famous venue in St John’s Wood by 1,107 seats.
Transport for London said the extra numbers would force them to shut St John’s Wood tube station on event days.
And there has been a “strong objection” from the St John’s Wood Court Residents’ Association.
Its chairman George Hammer said: “The proposed development is expected to last between three and four years, causing significant inconvenience to the residents.
“We anticipate considerable noise, dust, and traffic congestion during this period, which will undoubtedly disrupt our daily lives.”
He added: “We are deeply worried about any potential plans to hold open-air events and concerts within the cricket grounds. While we understand that the MCC may need to recoup their investments and maximise income, such events would be disastrous for the local residents.
“The associated noise, traffic, and disturbance caused by large gatherings would significantly impact our quality of life.”
The St John’s Wood Society warned the changes would have “a significant impact on the streetscape”, adding that an “extensive expanse of white aluminium fins will create a ‘civic’ feel to the design” that will be highly visible from the street.
The current proposal is the final phase of the “Lord’s Masterplan” that dates from 2014 when permission was granted to demolish the Warner stand.
And in 2019 permission was granted for demolition of the Compton and Edrich stands.
In 2016 the MCC was granted permission for the redevelopment of the Allen and Tavern stands, but planners are now being asked to consider a new application.
The three-tier Tavern stand is set back from St John’s Wood Road and was built in the 1960s.
Officers have recommended the application be approved and is acceptable under Westminster City Council planning policies.
But TfL objected and said the St John’s Wood Underground station would be unsustainable due to the extra footfall.
It is proposing a system where trains do not stop at St John’s Wood – both ways – on match days.
Its statement said that it would need more staff, delay other tube trains by “an additional minute”, both escalators and staircase would have to go in the same direction with the gates open that was “a revenue risk for TfL”.
Cricket fans will be told to walk from Baker Street, but not Swiss Cottage.
TfL is asking for £2,500 per major event from Lord’s because of the inconvenience to pay for “staffing costs”.
Historic England said it did not object to the demolition and that any heritage harm would be “less than substantial”, and added: “The relocation of the scoreboard away from the Pavilion to the Tavern Stand is most welcome.”
The application said: “The Tavern and Allen stands represent the last phase of development in the Lord’s Masterplan, and an opportunity to bring both stands into accordance with contemporary requirements and provide world class facilities befitting Lord’s position as the Home of Cricket.”
It added that the new look would be of “world class architectural design befitting of Lord’s renowned status as the Home of Cricket, and Westminster’s only major sports ground”.
