As ever, causing a bit of controversy. One floor of the hotel has gone though!

http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/4484848.Latest_vision_of___15m_cricket_ground_unveiled/

“It’s important to stress we’ve just completed phase one of the scheme,
the Graeme Hick pavilion, which is also a very contemporary design.
There were concerns about that, but now it’s completed we’ve heard only
praise."

Depends who you want to listen to.

But in a letter to the Worcester News, the chairman of Worcester Civic Society’s development committee, Richard Lockett, described the designs as “characterless”.
He wrote: “Budget constraints should not be allowed to dominate on a site where only highest-quality design is acceptable”.

What planet does this guy come from ? Has he actually looked at the New Road stand which might have history but isn't a lot more than a concrete bunker. How can anyone describe the current mish-mash of buildings as "highest quality design" ?

On the artist's impression, there don't appear to be many rows of seats. And there's no cover for spectators - currently in rain or very hot weather it's the only place to take cover.

Given the financial constraints, I support it.

But the use of non-traditional colours and fabrics means that the Planning Committee will have a very difficult job on their hands. I think the Planning Officer's recommendation will tip it in favour: an appeal to the Secretary of State might be on the cards.

I think the plan will go through. The City Council have wanted ahotel on the west side of the Severn for years - now that a plan has dropped in their lap, I hardly think that they will turn it down. Gift horse, mouth etc, etc.

Not sure if this is related to the above or not.

http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/sport/wccc/8099431.Cricket_club_worth___4_6m_a_year_to_county_economy/

In church circles, heritage lobbies have far too much sway, IMHO. The Victorian Society stop pews being moved, regardless of the fact that the Victorians themselves were responsible for the destruction of much of their ecclesiastical heritage. English Heritage are ruining the ancient art of bellringing by their preference for preserving ancient wooden frames and preventing their replacement by cast iron frames. Note the silence over Malvern on a Sunday morning.

Serchers: The point about lack of cover was made to the CEO when the Basil "stand" plans were unveiled. His response was that there is plenty of cover - in the area by the supporters shop and also in the club shop. Which raises the question has he ever put his head outside of his office door on occasions when it does rain.

What does it matter if your customers are uncomfortable? They are only the lifeblood of the county.

Having been at cricket and Rugby grounds with "cover" then they provide very little cover anyway.

If it does start raining then the cricket no longer goes on so you can move to another place with cover. If one wishes to sit in the rain and wind and look at an empty field then I would suggest you carry on, I will be in the pavillion!

There may well be sufficient room in the pavillion xray, but for the non-members covered accomodation is at a premium.

But is there not going to be a public bar in the next phase of the developement?

Thing is xray, when the new building goes up it doesn't look as though there's any cover at all, except under the Dolly stand and the little bit next to the old bar. Not that it matters for a while as plans are on hold, I think, until we get the cash from winning the Champions league.

The Rose Bowl has no cover, they seem to manage.

My comment about the pavillion was a little flippant and I apologise but the point is that if the weather is bad, the cricket stops. When it gets better again it starts again. It is not like the Rugby where it carries on in any weather and then gets very grim. There is always going to be a problem while the work goea on but that is going to be for a finite period, at which point I am sure there are the new buildings to provide cover.