After years of stagnation it may turn out that the redeveloped national stadium will be only the first step of what is called the ‘sporting village’, BBC reports. Works may start this year.

Environment Minister Alex Attwood granted planning permission for the redevelopment of Windsor Park stadium after 11 weeks of receiving the application. Works are to cover three new stands and renovation of one existing.

The design worth £29 million is going ahead as planned. Should nothing change, works may start in early Autumn 2013 and last until 2015, when the ground would have 18,099 seats, all complying to modern standards. This hasn’t always been the case with Windsor Park being under criticism from both FIFA and UEFA.

The change may be even bigger than expected as a more extensive plan is being discussed. The so called ‘sporting village’ would become Belfast’s new sport and leisure hub, worth well over £110 million in total. At this early stage chances of the project being done are estimated at over 50%.