This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-21514346

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Windsor Park plans set to get green light Windsor Park stadium plans given green light
(about 5 hours later)
Environment minister Alex Attwood is expected to announce planning permission for an 18,000 seater stadium at Windsor Park in Belfast later. Environment minister Alex Attwood has granted planning permission for the redevelopment of Windsor Park football stadium in south Belfast.
It will be the next stage of the stadium development programme in Northern Ireland that also includes Ravenhill and Casement Park. Under the plan, the Irish Football Association will build an 18,000 seater stadium and two new spectator stands.
More than £25m of funding from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure is to go towards updating the historic football ground in south Belfast. Mr Attwood said it would lead to "the creation of a stadium that is fit for the 21st century".
Two new stands will be built. It is part of a stadium redevelopment that also includes Ravenhill rugby ground and the GAA's Casement Park.
The Irish Football Association (IFA) is also set to locate its new headquarters there, moving from its current base in Windsor Avenue. International venue
In total, the Stomont Executive has allocated up to £110m in public funding for the three building projects, through the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL).
More than £25m is to go towards the redevelopment of Windsor Park, the home venue for Northern Ireland's international football team.
The IFA is also set to locate its new headquarters there, moving from its current base in Windsor Avenue.
The green light was given for the project following the fastest ever turnaround for a major planning application in Northern Ireland.
Permission was granted 11 weeks after the application was received by the planning authorities.
Employment
Mr Attwood described it as a "tremendous boost for football and for sport".
"This ambitious, exciting project is important in sporting terms to everyone in Northern Ireland and will also create employment opportunities for local people, particularly during the construction process. This is why I made sure that we were in a position to turn it around quickly.
"My officials worked with the project team and key consultees for months before the application was submitted, clearing any hurdles. This ensured a quality application and therefore a speedy process," the minister added.
Sports Minister Carál Ní Chuilín described the planning approval as a key milestone in Northern Ireland's stadium redevelopment programme and said it was a good example of cross-departmental co-operation at Stormont.
'Regeneration'
She said: "The Irish FA are now able to move to the next stage of their ambition to create a modern stadium to cater for the needs of the whole football community.
"While the modernisation of Windsor Park represents a huge boost for football fans, this project and the others at Ravenhill and Casement are also about building community foundations and providing a catalyst for the regeneration of the areas around the stadiums, " Ms Ní Chuilín added.
Construction work is scheduled to begin at Windsor Park in August with the phased project expected to be completed by the summer of 2015.Construction work is scheduled to begin at Windsor Park in August with the phased project expected to be completed by the summer of 2015.