Lord Morris warns Edgbaston Test status is on the line

May 5 2009 by James Cartledge, Birmingham Mail

“However, there is little doubt the facilities at this great ground no longer support Warwickshire’s international reputation.”

Sparkbrook and Small Heath MP Roger Godsiff has written to the planning committee calling for the club’s application to be rejected.

Mr Godsiff said permanent floodlights were unacceptable to residents and there was no reason why the club could not continue with retractable temporary floodlighting and still hold Test matches.

Mr Godsiff said he recognised the value Edgbaston brought to Birmingham, but added: “I do not think the club have been particularly well advised over the planning application.

“It would appear they have gone for the big bang approach whereby their architects and consultants have advised them to apply for just about everything possible to squeeze onto the site in the knowledge they would be prepared to scale back their proposals if objections were put forward.”