A £30 million scheme to transform Birmingham’s world-famous Edgbaston cricket ground, increasing capacity to more than 25,000, has been revealed.

Warwickshire County Cricket Club (WCCC) has joined forces with Birmingham-based developer MCD to deliver the long-awaited project, which will see the ground’s capacity increased by 4,000.

The move is seen as a major boost in terms of retaining test cricket at the venue.  It will benefit from improved facilities for both players and fans.

These will include new changing rooms, bars and restaurants. There will also be enhanced corporate hospitality and events space providing a new banqueting facility for Birmingham.

Phil Macdonald, operations and development director at WCCC, said the revamp should reaffirm Edgbaston’s place as a world class venue.

He said: “The redevelopment of the ground and wider masterplan will benefit the city by creating jobs and giving Birmingham a stadium to be proud of.

“This project is a key part of our future plans for the club and our ability to remain competitive when bidding for international matches.”

The club has a legendary heritage as a test match venue, with cricket held there for over 130 years. It last hosted the Ashes in 2005, when England snatched victory from the jaws of defeat to level up the memorable series.

Recently it has has come under increasing pressure, as other clubs have made massive investments in their infrastructure.

Grounds in Durham, Cardiff, Southampton and Bristol are all now up to international standard.

Earlier this year at the club’s AGM, a special resolution was passed allowing it to borrow £20 million towards the cost of the scheme, with honourary treasurer Steven Mills warning that the club would have difficulty surviving without test cricket.

Mr Mills said at the time: “I put it to you that you don’t have any alternative. You have to address the stadium issue. You don’t have an option. Warwickshire needs a stadium.”

To enable the development to help pay for itself on non-cricketing days, WCCC brought in architects Broadway Malyan.

The second phase of the development programme will see the creation of office and residential elements, a new hotel, public spaces and commercial opportunities.