11:01am Thursday 11th March 2010
By Matt Donlan
TODAY is D-Day for the future of cricket at Old Trafford as planning chiefs decide whether to give the green light to the revamp of the famous ground.
Phase One of a major rebuild of the home of Lancashire is nearing completion but in order to preserve international cricket at the ground, the ambitious Phase Two is vital.
That second phase of work includes improving the historic pavilion, building a new media centre and players’ changing rooms, six permanent floodlights and seating for 15,000 which can be increased to 25,000 for internationals.
They also hope to extend their indoor cricket school, turn the square 90 degrees and install a second electronic scoreboard.
Without the second phase, this summer’s Test between England and Bangladesh could be the last staged at Old Trafford.
Tonight councillors will meet at Trafford Town Hall to decide whether to grant planning permission for the £21 million development.
And while planning officers have recommended the work gets the go-ahead, councillors could still scupper the plan in the face of some local opposition.
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