Lancashire CCC Given Old Trafford Regeneration Go-Ahead

English County Cricket Club Lancashire has been awarded permission to go ahead with a multi-million pound regeneration of its Old Trafford home ground by the Court of Appeal ñ paving the way for the Manchester venue to be put into contention to stage an Ashes test in 2013.

The court was asked to block the plan by a local authority who said it was wrong to give Lancashire County Cricket Club permission to redevelop, an opinion with which three judges disagreed, adding that the reasons for their decision would be revealed at a later date.

Lancashire chief executive Jim Cumbes said the decision was one of the most significant events in the north-west club’s 154-year history and that redevelopment was essential to preserving the ground’s international status.

Cumbes added: “This is one of the biggest days in the club’s history. If we don’t redevelop then 150-odd years of history would have been in danger of disappearing. With redevelopment, I am confident that Old Trafford can continue as an international cricket ground.”

Trafford Council leader Matt Colledge stated: ëThis has been a long, drawn-out process and the council as decision maker has been vindicated at every stage. At last the cricket club can move forward with their redevelopment and the sports-led regeneration of this area can begin to take shapeí.

English County Cricket Club Lancashire has been awarded permission to go ahead with a multi-million pound regeneration of its Old Trafford home ground by the Court of Appeal – paving the way for the Manchester venue to be put into contention to stage an Ashes test in 2013.

The court was asked to block the plan by a local authority who said it was wrong to give Lancashire County Cricket Club permission to redevelop, an opinion with which three judges disagreed, adding that the reasons for their decision would be revealed at a later date.

Lancashire chief executive Jim Cumbes said the decision was one of the most significant events in the north-west club’s 154-year history and that redevelopment was essential to preserving the ground’s international status.

Cumbes added: “This is one of the biggest days in the club’s history. If we don’t redevelop then 150-odd years of history would have been in danger of disappearing. With redevelopment, I am confident that Old Trafford can continue as an international cricket ground.”

Trafford Council leader Matt Colledge stated: “This has been a long, drawn-out process and the council as decision maker has been vindicated at every stage. At last the cricket club can move forward with their redevelopment and the sports-led regeneration of this area can begin to take shape”.