LONDON, (AP) - Lord's is planning a long-term multi-million dollar redevelopment project that will see several stands refurbished and the capacity increased by 10,000 to 38,500 in order to keep pace with rival grounds in England and Wales.

Specifically, Lord's doesn't want to lose the two Tests and two one-day international matches it traditionally hosts every season.

The Marylebone Cricket Club, which owns Lord's, said yesterday they asked members what they wanted for the future of the club, which is also home to the Middlesex County Cricket club.

"Nearly half of MCC's membership responded and there was overwhelming backing to support the improvement of Lord's for future generations of cricketers, cricket fans and of course members," the MCC's masterplan project director David Batts said.

"To achieve this we are in the process of appointing a masterplan architect who will be tasked with preparing a development plan which will provide an overall approach to the design and layout for the entire Lord's site."

Batts said a shortlist of architects would be announced in the next few weeks.

Five stands in the ground are potential sites for redevelopment — the Allen, Warner, Tavern, Compton and Edrich stands — but the Victorian pavilion, Main stand, media centre and Grand stand should remain untouched.

Planning permission has not yet been obtained and could take a year to go through. No work is expected during the 2009 cricket season as Lord's is hosting the Twenty20 World Cup and one match of the Ashes series.

Lord's has been based in London's Marylebone area since 1814.