Revelopment of Oval cricket ground

MP accused in Oval row

Jun 24 2003
By Richard Evans

South London Press

AN MP has hit back at claims of a conflict of interest over the proposed redevelopment of the Oval cricket ground.

Lambeth council's planning committee is set to decide tonight whether Surrey's controversial £21million development goes ahead at what looks set to be a stormy meeting.

But former Sports Minister Kate Hoey - also Vauxhall MP and honourary vice-president of Surrey County Cricket Club - has come in for criticism for not backing residents who fear the proposed new £26.5million stand would cast a shadow over their homes.

Colin Baldy, spokesman for the newly-formed Kennington Oval and Harleyford Road Residents Association, claimed that the MP had "a severe conflict of interests".

But Ms Hoey told the South London Press: "This group has had opportunities over two years to make their views known. I only heard from them in the last week.

"Surrey has taken on board most of the community views on this scheme and I support it. However, as an honourary vice-president of Surrey, I will not be attending the planning committee."

At the moment, the world-famous cricket ground holds 18,094 people. If the plan is approved, this will rise to 23,000 in time for the Ashes Test in 2005.

Surrey Cricket Club claims the current stadium is old and inefficient, and that the future of Oval Test cricket and the club itself could depend on the outcome of tonight's meeting. There have been 96 objections to the new stand as well as 31 letters of support.

The cricket club insist residents' fears about the stand are unfounded and point out the stand will actually be moved further away from their homes to make up for its added height.

Tonight's meeting takes place in Room Eight, Lambeth Town Hall, Brixton Hill, from 7pm. See Friday's South London Press for news on the big decision.

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