Cricket chief: I will discuss city switch; SPORT: WCCC considers Coventry alternative to Edgbaston.Byline: Jenny Waddington HOPES for a world-class, multimillion pound cricket stadium on the edge of Coventry could move a step closer to reality later today. Birmingham councillors meet today to decide whether to grant planning permission planning permission Noun formal permission granted by a local authority for the construction, alteration, or change of use of a building planning permission n → licencia de obras for a pounds 32 million makeover at Warwickshire County Cricket County cricket is the highest level of domestic cricket in England and Wales. Teams First-class counties The eighteen traditional English first-class counties are the main cricket teams in England. Club's Edgbaston ground. The move comes after the club threatened to quit their Edgbaston base if planning permission for a pounds 32 million make-over was refused. And, as the Telegraph revealed yesterday, Coventry city councillors have said they could accommodate the club on land near the Ricoh Arena Inaugural events The arena became the venue for Coventry City's home games at the start of the 2005-06 season, following 106 years at the Highfield Road stadium. The first competitive football match played at the Ricoh Arena was against Queens Park Rangers on 20 August 2005, in . Colin Povey Colin Povey is the Chief Executive of Warwickshire County Cricket Club. He was formerly Chief Executive of Carlsberg. Povey captained England at Water Polo and played for and coached the Great Britain side. He is the brother of Kevin Povey. , chief executive of the Warwickshire club, has now agreed to meet with councillors in Coventry, regardless of today's decision.. The revamp is vital if the club is to meet the standards required to host Test matches in future. But the refurbishment is opposed by residents and local councillors in Birmingham, who claim the scheme will make traffic and noise problems worse. After hearing about the club's dilemma, Coventry City Council deputy leader Kevin Foster contacted the club and offered them the option of quitting Birmingham and relocating to a site just yards from the home of Coventry City FC. Mr Povey has accepted the council's invitation and a meeting is being organised to view possible sites. In his letter, he said: "As you are probably aware we have resubmitted our planning application to Birmingham City Council and we hope to have further news this week. "Whilst our preference is clearly to remain at our spiritual home in Edgbaston, your approach is very welcome and I do think there would be merit in us meeting in any event. "I would be delighted to come over to Coventry to discuss matters with you and look at possible sites." Coventry councillors are hoping to organise the meeting for next week. Coun Foster said: "I am delighted that Mr Povey has made the decision to come and visit sites in Coventry. There is great potential for relocating. "I am pleased that the club has taken our invitation seriously and I am looking forward to working with our partners to deliver what could be a once in a lifetime regeneration of Coventry." CAPTION(S): CONTROVERSY... The vision for Edgbaston which has divided opinion in Birmingham, and (inset) WCCC WCCC Westmoreland County Community College WCCC Working Connections Child Care WCCC World Computer Chess Championship WCCC Wayne County Community College (Michigan) WCCC Warren County Community College chief executive Colin Povey. |
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