The plans were given permission after an extensive period of consultation with local residents, who have expressed significant concerns with certain elements, prompting a number of conditions to be added to the approval.

Peter Boyle, president of the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) was cautiously optimistic, and said: "The IRFU respects that there remains some way to go in the process."

It is expected that work on the E250m stadium will commence in 2007, with an expected finish in 2009.

Photograph: The stadium has had objections from local residents who are concerned about its intrusion in the community

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