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The centrepiece of Eden Park's 2011 Rugby World Cup preparation has been given the green light.
The South Stand has been granted resource consent with the demolition of the old South Stand due to begin in August.
Local residents who oppose the stadium's expansion are now considering their options.
Eden Park Neighbourhood Association president Mark Donnelly said changes have been made to the plans and the final concept has not been seen by the group.
"We're trying to find out the final designs that have been consented,"Mr Donnelly said.
He said the planning process has been frustrating because of the many variations.
However, Eden Park Redevelopment Board chairman John Waller described the announcement as a "major milestone" for the hosting of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
The stand will hold 21,500 spectators and is described as "the cornerstone" of the park's upgrade.
"It is the most time-critical element of the construction project, and so securing approval for the new design has ensured that the project remains on schedule," Mr Waller said.
He said Fletcher Construction has been on site for the last few weeks and the consenting green light means they can now start their pre-construction work.
Demolition of the old south stand, which backs onto Reimers Ave, will start immediately after the Bledisloe Cup match in August.
The upgrade is expected to cost about $240 million.
Old seats, steel, concrete and other materials from the stand will be recycled.
The south stand consent follows approval from the Government in December 2007 to upgrade the design of Eden Park from a single redeveloped stand to include additional stand developments around the current Panasonic stand and eastern terraces.
Mr Waller said while the board had always been confident the design variation, which was consented over a year ago, was capable of receiving consent, the certainty of having that approval keep the upgrade on track and the project on time.
There are two further stages to finalising the consenting process, the confirmation of the east stand design and approval of the new transport facilities and the additional facilities for Rugby World Cup.
"We have followed an excellent process to date; ensuring that both the council and affected neighbours have been kept fully informed and this has ensured a smooth consenting process.
"We will maintain those high standards throughout the remainder of the consenting stages."
Mr Waller said Fletcher Construction had been on site for the last few weeks and were now able to start their pre-construction work and get everything ready for demolition in August.
Board members were expecting increasing interest in the stadium and a public expo at Eden Park this weekend would unveil the latest designs for the next stages of the park's redevelopment.
"It will be the public's first opportunity to see the drawings and designs in details and members of the project team will be on hand to answer questions."
Controversy has surrounded the proposed upgrade with neighbours threatening last month to lodge a fresh appeal in the Environment Court over its design.
Neighbours lodged a court claim to overturn resource consents for the original stadium design but withdrew the legal action after a temporary seating plan was revealed last year.
- NZHERALD STAFF, NZPA
