The Marylebone Cricket Club on Monday "took a big step" toward "rejecting a plan to build residential flats at Lord's to fund the redevelopment of the ground," according to Nick Hoult of the London TELEGRAPH. The MCC's committee recommended to its members that the club proceed with its "own Masterplan for Lord's by funding major redevelopment works from its own resources" rather than agreeing to the building of two 10-story residential blocks at the Nursery End on land owned by property developer Charles Rifkind. The committee "came to its decision on Monday night after a period of consultation with members," who will vote on the plans in September. MCC Chair Gerald Corbett said, "All members have been consulted. Many have spoken. The committee has decided. The club will now vote and we will then move on." The deal with the Rifkind Partnership would be worth £150M ($195.4M), with the club receiving £100M ($130.3M) in cash and new facilities worth around £35M ($45.6M). But it would involve the construction of two luxury residential blocks at the Nursery End, "an issue that has divided the MCC for nearly a decade" (TELEGRAPH, 7/24).
