Liverpool FC have been granted planning permission for a major expansion to Anfield in a move that will take its capacity to 61,000.
Club officials appeared before the council's planning committee on Tuesday morning over the Anfield Road stand £60m extension proposals - increasing the ground's capacity by 7,000.
Permission was also granted for permanent use of the stadium for other team sports, and for temporary consent for five years for the venue to host major events such as concerts.
The Reds said the development is expected to be an 18-month process.
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The work to the Main Stand will take place on a structure behind it during the football season before the more intrusive work is carried out during the summer months
While the plans would allow more fans to watch the club play, they have been met with
Local people and environmental groups voiced their concern over the impact the work may have on the nearby Stanley Park.
Liverpool have confirmed that a total of 27 trees will be removed as part of the proposed Anfield Road Stand development.
Eleven of these trees are owned by the council and the club said five of them are either dead or in very poor condition.
During the meeting, Andy Hughes, Liverpool's chief operating officer, said: "It's important to recognise the significant level of facilities for fans and accessibility facilities - as well as public realm behind the stand."
He said there will be "much improved integration" for that public realm with Stanley Park, adding that the plans came after a long period of discussion with the city council.
Also at the meeting, Anfield Councillor Lena Simic claimed there had been a 'lack of transparency' from the club and said the issue of trees in Stanley Park being removed was only added in late on and didn't feature in initial consultation.
She said: "This park was created for public benefit, it has been loved by citizens for over 150 years."
Despite the concerns, planning officers recommended that the plans were approved, and councillors voted them through after a lengthy discussion. It was approved by six votes to two.
