Surrey County Cricket Club has failed to get planning permission for a 170-bedroom hotel at the Brit Oval in Kennington, south London.

The club has proposed building a four-star hotel in partnership with Arora International, as part of the development of a 1,600 seat stand.

It hoped to complete the development in time for the 2009 Ashes contest against Australia.

However, Lambeth Council threw out the proposal following objections from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE).

The HSE warned of the risk of a major incident because of the development’s proximity to the Kennington gas holder.

The decision, which Surrey plans to appeal against, follows opposition to the scheme from a small group of local residents.

Arora International to build new hotel at the Oval >> 

The Rise of Arora >> 

An appetite for the Ashes >> 

By Daniel Thomas

E-mail your comments to Daniel Thomas here.