MCC submits revised Lord's floodlight proposal

Date released: 31 October 2008

An artist's impression of the proposed floodlights at Lord's MCC has submitted a new planning application to Westminster City Council for floodlights at Lord’s which the club hopes will be considered before Christmas.

The new application proposes four retractable floodlights, with headframes specifically designed to complement the Investec Media Centre, each set on a single circular column. They would sit behind the Compton, Edrich, Warner and Tavern stands.

MCC is seeking to replace the former scheme, consented by Westminster City Council in July, with this one.

That permission was for six "scaffolding-style" floodlights for the 2009 ICC World Twenty20 only, but did not allow MCC to host any other matches during the 2009 season or beyond.

This decision had significant financial implications for both MCC and Middlesex County Cricket Club as day/night matches are now part of the cricketing calendar and it is essential to the future of Lord’s as the home of cricket that floodlights are provided beyond the 2009 season.

Bradshaw: Hopeful of scheme's approval Keith Bradshaw, MCC Secretary and Chief Executive said:
"We believe we have now found an alternative solution to floodlighting at Lord’s which delivers a design that has the minimal possible impact for local residents, complements the cricket ground’s architecture, works for the players, spectators and broadcasters and provides us with a financially viable scheme.

"We are hopeful that Westminster City Council will consider this scheme as soon as practical and approve it, so we can deliver it in time for the ICC World Twenty/20 England 2009 which is in June next year.

"If this scheme is not permitted, then we will be left with no option but to seek an extension to the approved temporary floodlighting scheme in order to obtain a longer planning permission."

Key differences

The key differences between the consented scheme and the new scheme are as follows:

1. Fewer: There are now four floodlights, rather than six, one at each corner of the Ground. The consented floodlights behind the Mound Stand and Grand Stand would not be needed.

2. Retractable: The floodlights are both lower in height than those in the original application when fully extended and importantly are retractable.

At full height they are 47.8 metres, compared to 50 metres on the consented scheme and in retractable mode they are 29.6 metres - 20.4 metres lower than the consented scheme.

MCC proposes that the floodlights would be retracted between each game and from the end of September to the start of April each year.

3. Slimmer, less intrusive: The floodlight masts are single circular columns measuring only 1.2 metres at their base, reducing in width higher up, rather than the scaffolding style masts of the consented scheme.

This provides a more elegant option and reduces their physical impact considerably.

4. New head design: The heads of the floodlights have been specifically designed to complement the shape of the Investec Media Centre so they respect the character of Lord’s and integrate better within the Ground.

5. Light spillage: In addition to four floodlights rather than six, there will be less impact from light spillage compared with the consented scheme and considerably less than at the floodlight trial matches held at Lord’s to date

6. Key views: The impact of the lights in terms of views will be reduced considerably. The planning application includes a series of key views showing the revised scheme which demonstrates this.

7. Trees: The impact on trees behind the Grand Stand has been resolved as there will no longer be a mast in this location.

8. Noise: The floodlights will be run through mains electricity rather than generators and therefore there will be no noise when they are in operation.

Extending the floodlights and then retracting them will take no more then 10 minutes on each occasion. It is proposed that this will take place just before the start of each game and shortly after 9am the morning after matches to avoid any undue disturbance to residents.

If planning permission is granted in the timeframe, it is MCC’s intention to implement this scheme from 2009 onwards.

MCC is requesting permission for 12 floodlit matches a year and four floodlit practice evenings.

MCC has also written to around 2,500 local residents setting out the new approach.