Environment Minister Alex Attwood today cleared the way for a new rugby stadium at Ravenhill when he announced his agreement to planning permission for ground improvements, including three new stands.

Sports Minister, Carál Ní Chuilín described the announcement as a key milestone in the development of her regional sports stadiums programme which follows the Executive pledge of up to £14.7million of government funding in the current CSR period.

The new stands will complement the existing stand, opened in October 2009 and provide greatly improved facilities for spectators. The planning permission will allow for a stadium capacity of up to 18,000 spectators.

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Mr Attwood said: "This is a tremendous boost for rugby and for sport here. Planning approval will now lead to the creation of a stadium that is fit for the 21st century. In arriving at my decision, I have given careful consideration to the need for a new stadium and views of the local community amongst others."

Welcoming the announcement Minister Ní Chuilín said: "We have now reached a milestone in the upgrade of Ravenhill. This progress will enable rugby to move to the next stage of their ambition to have a stadium that will fully meet their needs well into the future. Having secured up to £110million earlier in the year for the development of regional stadiums for rugby, Gaelic games and football, I am delighted that a point has been reached which will enable us to begin to see progress on the ground. The Stadium Development Programme is a key priority for me and my Department and I look forward to seeing progress being made in the development of Casement Park for Gaelic games and Windsor Park in respect of football."

(CD/GK)