PLANS for a £10 million facelift of Worcestershire County Cricket Club's New Road ground are expected to be further delayed despite going in front of Worcester City Council's planning committee again this week.

It was hoped the major reconstruction of the ground, regarded by many as the most picturesque county cricket ground in the country, would soon be under way. However, the Environment Agency concerns raised at the last meeting are expected to further delay work getting under way.

The plans appeared in front of committee members earlier this month, but approval was delayed after the 11th hour objection by the Environment Agency, which said plans for a new on-site hotel were a concern because it could suffer because of floods. It was also worried about the disposal of contaminated water.

The agency submitted a letter to Worcester City Council saying the development is "unacceptable" because of the flood plain and would need further discussion.

The planning committee deferred the decision to await the consultation response of the Environment Agency. As yet, this has not been received by the council, but is expected to arrive before the meeting.

The head of urban environment has recommended approval of the scheme, but says in his report, to be presented on Thursday, the Environment Agency is expected to prepare further fall back conditions in case the proposals are given the green light.

The development would improve player, media and spectator facilities, as well as expand hospitality. It includes a new main entrance, a pedestrian plaza, hospitality suites, a conference and banqueting area and executive boxes.

The project would also see the media centre revamped, new TV gantries, a restaurant, roof terrace, a new members' pavilion, changing rooms for the players and a bar.