Midland MP calls for retractable floodlights at cricket ground

Jun 18 2009 by Paul Dale, Birmingham Post

A Birmingham MP has launched a last-ditch attempt to prevent 150ft-high permanent floodlights from being installed at the Edgbaston cricket ground.

Roger Godsiff is urging the city council cabinet to refuse a £20 million loan to Warwickshire County Cricket Club.

The money is needed to bridge a funding gap and allow a £32 million redevelopment of the 100-year-old Test match arena to go ahead.

But Mr Godsiff (Lab Sparkbrook & Small Heath) said the council should only hand over the money if the club agrees to have retractable floodlights. A similar arrangement is in place at Lord’s, where residents in St John’s Wood successfully complained to the local council that permanent floodlights would ruin the landscape and their views.

Mr Godsiff is arguing that the experience at Lord’s should set a precedent for Edgbaston, where residents have campaigned against WCCC’s plans on the grounds that permanent floodlights will be too obtrusive. A government planning inspector took the same stance in 2000, when he turned down the club’s application for floodlights.