Warwickshire County Cricket Club scales down Edgbaston plan
Cannon Hill Neighbourhood Forum chairman Leo Nation said: “This very slightly scaled down revision does not address any of the central issues such as the visual impact of five permanent floodlights 20-storeys high. The new pavilion would still be as large as an eight-storey building. This will not address the traffic issues.” The club had shown “contempt” for local people by not discussing with residents the changes intended.
Coun James Hutchings (Con Edgbaston) said: “These are completely insignificant changes that do nothing to address the problems.”
Council regeneration director Clive Dutton said changes proposed represented a 16 per cent reduction in commercial floorspace and a 9.3 per cent reduction in the overall size of the ground improvement scheme.
The club will continue to pay contributions to the council of £1.4 million in affordable housing, £90,000 for improvements to Cannon Hill Park, £250,000 towards public transport and is also promising to establish a liaison group with the community.
Chief executive Colin Povey said: “We are trying to respond to issues raised by the committee. We have made material changes, we have responded positively and we hope this will get us over the final hurdle.”
