Lansdowne Road gets planning green light

THE members of An Bord Pleanála were unanimous in their decision to grant permission for the construction of a new Lansdowne Road stadium — despite a recommendation of refusal by its own inspector.

While the board has imposed 23 conditions the original application remains essentially intact and the developers are still aiming for completion of the project by the end of 2009.

There is no reduction in the proposed 50,000 all-seater capacity or any restriction on the number of sporting events.