Planning permission has been granted for the largest phase of the £200m (US$305m, €278m) redevelopment of Lord’s cricket ground.

Work can now begin on the South-Western Project – the second phase of a wider masterplan raising the ground's overall capacity to more than 30,000. The existing Tavern and Allen stands will be demolished and rebuilt as a single 5,200 capacity structure designed by sports architects Populous.

Other key components of the scheme include the construction of a new Thomas Lord Building with a street-facing reception and a Tavern Pub to serve spectators. The ground's Grace Gates area will also be enhanced to create a more pedestrian-friendly public realm.

According to Marylebone Cricket Club, which owns Lord’s, work will be begin in Q3 2019 at the earliest, as the venue will host the ICC Cricket World Cup earlier that year.

Work on phase one of the masterplan, the £21m (US$32m, €29m) redevelopment of the Warner Stand, also designed by Populous, began in September and will be completed in time for the 2017 season. The new-look stand will hold 2,922 spectators and feature a semi-translucent roof.