A new stand to replace the current Warner Stand at Lord's Cricket Ground has been granted planning permission from Westminster City Council.

The new Warner Stand marks the first major phase of development in he fifteen-year Masterplan for Lord's, which was unveiled in May 2013 by the MCC.

Derek Brewer, MCC Chief Executive & Secretary, said: "I am delighted that Westminster City Council has granted planning permission for what will be a wonderful new addition to Lord's. MCC wants Lord's to be the world's finest cricket ground, and this new stand combines the best in architecture with world-class facilities to help achieve that.

"Many months of work by an excellent team has developed plans for a stand which will grace Lord's for many years to come."

The new building, which will have a semi-translucent fabric cover supported by an oak-beamed roof structure, also includes a 135-seat restaurant with commanding views over the Ground and radically improves on the current stand's accessibility and sustainability credentials. Seating for spectators with disabilities and mobility needs accounts for 4% of the total capacity of 2,922.

Solar panels and a waste water collection and recycling system have also been incorporated.

Subject to the approval of MCC Members next summer, the two-phase construction of the stand is due to begin at the end of the 2015 season with first phase of construction establishing the two tiers of seating and match control facilities and will be completed for the Pakistan Test Match in 2016. The second phase, when the roof, catering facilities and services will be built, will begin in the off-season of 2016/17 and completed in time for the first major match of the 2017 season.