Updated 11:42
Planning permission for the proposed redevelopment for Casement Park has been denied. The 60-year-old Belfast ground is one of the biggest in Ulster, and is in need of major redevelopment.
A Belfast high court has deemed the redevelopment unlawful following legal action taken by local residents. The judge ruled that Northern Ireland's environment minister acted unlawfully in initially granting in December 2013. The judge identified a lack of examination into the effect that an increased crowd would have on the local road networks.
All isn't lost though, which the judge inviting lawyers for the DoE, the GAA and the local residents group to make further submissions on how to remedy the situation.
Nevertheless, this will not be good news for the IRFU's plans to bid for the right to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup. The redeveloped Casement Park was very likely to be one of the grounds used as part of the bid.
Planning permission has been denied for the proposed re-development of Casement Park...more to follow: http://t.co/hEPEETCY6I #GAA
— The GAA (@officialgaa) December 15, 2014
Picture credit: Oliver McVeigh / SPORTSFILE
