Environment Minister Alex Attwood today granted planning permission for a new stadium at Windsor Park.

As a result the Irish Football Association (Irish FA) can now build an 18,000 capacity stadium and two new stands to the south and east of the ground. The north and west stands will also be extended and refurbished.

Planning permission was granted within 11 weeks of receiving the application which is the fastest ever turnaround of an Article 31 (major) planning application.

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 £110 million of government funding for the redevelopment of three sports stadiums at Ravenhill, Windsor Park and Casement Park.

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Mr Attwood said: "This is a tremendous boost for football and for sport here. Planning approval will now lead to the creation of a stadium that is fit for the 21st century.

"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 local community were also very much involved before I made my decision. I asked the Irish FA to extensively engage with the local community before they submitted their planning application. This they did meaning that local people had a say in the design of the stadium."

(CD)