Lights could be on at Lord's

Home of cricket hoping to secure planning permission

Last updated: 7th May 2008

Lords floodlight 2007 Pro40

Floodlights could be a permanent fixture at Lord's

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Lord's will have floodlights from next season if a Marylebone Cricket Club planning application is successful.

MCC has submitted the proposal to Westminster City Council for six temporary floodlights - to be installed at the start of each season between 2009 and 2013.

Floodlights featured as a priority on the MCC's masterplan wish list, a redevelopment of the ground which it is estimated will cost around £200million.

In the short-term, Lord's is required to have lights of England and Wales Cricket Board standard to meet the criteria as a venue for next summer's Twenty20 World Cup.

Crucial

MCC chief executive Keith Bradshaw said: "Floodlights are now a key component for staging one-day and Twenty20 matches.

"This application provides a solution to floodlighting for the ICC World Twenty20 tournament in 2009, a major international sporting event, as well as matches over the next five years.

"As the home of cricket globally, it is crucial that Lord's continues to host these games.

"The temporary option has been developed following a thorough analysis of floodlighting solutions.

"It's important that we take into account the effect on the local area as well as how it fits in with the Lord's masterplan, which will see significant and long-term improvements at Lord's."