|
Plans for the spectacular arena just yards from City's current Ninian Park home, on the site of the Cardiff Athletics Stadium, were given the go-ahead by Cardiff Council after a three-hour meeting last night.
Now it's down to the National Assembly to have the final say on the £165m scheme. If it finds no problems, the Bluebirds could be in their new stadium by the start of the 2005/2006 season.
City owner Sam Hammam - said to be "delighted" at the decision - has been the driving force behind the plans, which also include a hotel and health club, a 450,000sq ft retail park, a new athletics stadium and housing where Ninian Park currently stands.
The scheme - the first phase of which should create more than 1,000 jobs - has been criticised by some councillors and residents, who fear it will swallow up green space in the Leckwith area and kill off shops in Cowbridge Road East.
Full story.