Derwent’s Lancs appeal hit for six
LANCASHIRE County Cricket Club can now begin redevelopment work of its Old Trafford stadium after judges at London’s Court of Appeal dismissed a challenge brought by Derwent Holdings and refused leave to appeal.
Chief executive Jim Cumbes said the meant the club can now progress with its plan to redevelop the stadium to international standards.
“Today has been a crucial day, the most important in the club’s 153-year history,” he said. “After seven years of hard work and tough battles, we can say the future for the club is now brighter.
“We were confident of winning and we are happy we have now seen the end of a protracted legal process which has been draining the club financially.”
Mr Cumbes said that the action brought by Mr Gubay’s firm had been a “pointless exercise”, particularly as his own plan for a nearby supermarket was rejected bot by the Planning Inspector and a public inquiry.
“His Judicial Review challenge seemed to us a pointless exercise, but it did create huge uncertainty due to its financial implications.”
The approval now means that the club can gain a cross-subsidy of around £23m from Tesco, which now has the green light to build its 150,000 sq ft supermarket nearby.
Lancashire County Cricket Club plans to use the case to invest £32m into a redeveloped ground, new pitches, stands, state-of-the-art player and media facilities and an extension to its existing indoor cricket school.
Two new grandstands and a refurbished Pavilion will ensure a capacity of 15,000, capable of rising to 25,000 with temporary seating, and a screen showing action replays, and the new floodlights.
