MCC Gains Planning Permission for Populous Designed Warner Stand at Lord’s

Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has been handed a boost after they received planning permission for the new Warner Stand at Lord’s Cricket Ground.

The new structure was designed by iSportconnect’s Official Stadia Partner, allergist Populous, doctor the architects behind three Olympic Stadiums.

This marks the first major phase of development in the fifteen-year Masterplan for Lord’s, ampoule which was unveiled in May 2013.

According to an official release, the Warner Stand will dramatically improve sightlines, improve circulation, and provide a new state-of-the-art match control and match officials’ facility.

MCC Chief Executive & Secretary, Derek Brewer, said: “I am delighted that Westminster City Council has granted planning permission for what will be a wonderful new addition to Lord’s. MCC wants Lord’s to be the world’s finest cricket ground, and this new stand combines the best in architecture with world-class facilities to help achieve that.

“Many months of work by an excellent team has developed plans for a stand which will grace Lord’s for many years to come.”

Philip Johnson, Principal at Populous, added: “Populous is very proud to be working with MCC on the development of the ‘Home of Cricket’. The new Warner Stand has been designed to provide excellent views of the action, a state-of-the-art Match Control facility, a number of bars, and a superb restaurant overlooking the Ground.

“The translucent roof canopy will be constructed from insulated tensile fabric, supported on cantilevering American White Oak glulam beams, providing a high degree of natural light to the upper tier of seating and the restaurant beneath. It will be the first phase of the Masterplan we unveiled last year.”

Subject to the approval of MCC Members next summer, the two-phase construction of the stand is due to begin at the end of the 2015 season, in order to ensure there is still a fully operational stand in place for next season’s Australia Test.