A narrow, but potentially very valuable, strip of land at the edge of Lord’s cricket ground is being offered for sale to sports lovers and property speculators but it comes with a catch.
Although the disused railway tunnels at the northeastern end of the site are a prime location for luxurious flats within shouting distance of the Test venue, it cannot be developed without the consent of the Marylebone Cricket Club until the club’s lease on the top 18 inches of land runs out. That will not be for 119 years.
The 200-metre by 38-metre strip at the Nursery End of the site is available after Charles Rifkind, who bought it in 1999, admitted defeat in his attempts to persuade the club’s members to allow development on the site in exchange for a lump sum of up to £150m.
