WARWICKSHIRE County Cricket Club has been accused of treating local people with ‘contempt’ as it scaled down plans for a £32 million expansion of the ground.

A revised planning application to Birmingham City Council cuts the amount of hotel and leisure space proposed on land fronting the Pershore Road.

But the club is pressing ahead in full with controversial proposals for floodlighting, new stands and pavilion, media area, and hospitality suites – to be partly paid for out of a commercial development of hotels, housing and flats.

Local councillors and other objectors, described the changes as “insignificant” and failing to address concerns about increased traffic on local roads, noise and light spillage from the floodlights.

WCCC insists the ground improvements are vital if Test match cricket is to continue to be played in the city.

Edgbaston’s facilities are regarded as outdated compared with other Test match grounds, according to the England and Wales Cricket Board.

The city council planning committee refused to approve the scheme this month, asking the club to think again, while cabinet members have had to reconsider a £20 million loan toward ground improvements following criticism from a scrutiny committee.