KEY POINTS:
Eden Park has crossed its final hurdle to rebuild the stadium for the Rugby World Cup 2011 after reaching an agreement with its neighbours.
Eden Park announced today it had reached an agreement with the Eden Park Neighbours Association who will now withdraw an appeal to the Environment Court against a resource granted to the Park in January.
Chairman of the newly established Eden Park Redevelopment Board, John Waller, said the redevleopment of the ground can now proceed on schedule but it would still take account of local concerns.
The Park currently has consents in place for building a larger stadium, but under the terms of the agreement reached last month between the Government and the Eden Park Trust Board, the new South Stand will be a significantly smaller structure and, post-Rugby World Cup, the seating will be reduced from the 60,000-plus capacity for the tournament.
The two sides agreed:
* A reduction in the height and bulk of the South Stand which will reduce shade on nearby houses and its visual impact on the neighbourhood,
* An independent assessment of shade from the new structures, and the development of mitigation packages for affected neighbours
* A bus/coach terminal in the south-west corner of the Park to improve traffic and pedestrian flows around the streets bordering the Park
* Reduction in the height of light towers which will lessen light spill
* A forum for neighbours to have input into key aspects of the redevelopment.
'Mr Waller said: "This has ensured that we still have a design which produces a first-class venue with all the critical functionality of a modern sports stadium."
Mr Waller said that although variations would be required to the existing consents obtained for the Park, the withdrawal of the appeal removed a major barrier to engaging the key contractors for the project.
"The redevelopment project is now firmly back on track."
- NZ HERALD STAFF
