The future of Lord's could be determined today when the MCC discuss whether to press ahead with a significant redevelopment of one the world's most iconic sporting venues.
At 3.30pm today, a 20-strong committee were due to examine new plans for the ground, one of which would involve building four diamond-shaped towers housing luxury flats at the Nursery End. This would transform dramatically the view from the Pavilion End, where the members sit during matches.
There are also plans for a new indoor academy, two more entrances and improved parking. The meeting is expected to last about three hours. Members will debate whether to adopt the new scheme, stick to the original £400million Vision for Lord's, or maintain the ground as it is.
The original 'Vision' ran into trouble in February when Oliver Stocken, the MCC chairman, and Justin Dowley, the treasurer, threatened to resign if the plans went ahead.
The new proposals, drawn up by developer Almacantar and worth about £100m to MCC, are less radical than the original ones, which would have seen the capacity grow from 28,000 to 40,000 and involved increasing the height of the Compton and Edrich Stands.
The latest idea would mean only a 5,000 increase in capacity, taking it to 33,000, while there would be no move to alter the height of the Compton and Edrich Stands.
The committee face a difficult balancing act. There is the need to be faithful to the history and tradition of the ground, while also recognising the need to advance in the face of growing competition - England now has nine venues that have hosted Test cricket.
The committee must take all these factors into account while trying to work within a difficult economic climate.
