Warwickshire County Cricket Club has appointed Rider Levett Bucknall to help it transform Edgbaston and maintain its status as a premier cricket ground on the international circuit.

The planned £30million revamp, which will see capacity increased to 25,000 as well as improved facilities for fans, players and media is now back on track after Birmingham-based developer MCD joined forces with the club.

Rider Levett Bucknall is providing project management and quantity surveying services. Subject to planning, work is scheduled to start next autumn and Peter West, associate at the Birmingham office, is leading the team to deliver the new stands for the test match against India in the summer of 2011.

As well as increasing capacity, the new stands will become home to media, banqueting, enhanced hospitality and event facilities including bars and restaurants and new player changing rooms, a shop and museum.

In addition, it will also kick-start regeneration of the surrounding area around the ground with plans for office and residential schemes, hotels and further commercial opportunities.

The Broadway Malyan-designed development will allow the world-famous Edgbaston ground to secure its future in retaining international test cricket matches as well as enabling Warwickshire County Cricket Club to generate all year round revenue from non-cricketing commercial activities.

The appointment enhances Rider Levett Bucknall’s reputation in the sporting arena and follows a contract by Yorkshire County Cricket Club and Leeds Metropolitan University to help build a new £21million pavilion at Headingley Carnegie Stadium.

RLB’s Peter West, who is himself a player, coach and avid cricket fan, said: “The exciting re-development of the historic Edgbaston cricket ground secures its landmark status, making it a world class venue to host international cricket for Warwickshire and the city of Birmingham.”

Phil Macdonald, operations and development director at Warwickshire County Cricket Club, said: “The redevelopment of the ground and wider master plan will benefit the city by creating new jobs and giving Birmingham a stadium to be proud of.”