TWICKENHAM Stadium's South Stand is to undergo a multi-million pound transformation after the proposals received unanimous approval from Richmond upon Thames Council's planning committee.

The decision followed a marathon four and a half hour meeting in which councillors weighed up the concerns of the stand's immediate neighbours with the potential benefits for the whole borough.

The current stand and 14 Victorian houses will be demolished, to be replaced with a new stand, boosting the stadium's capacity by 7,500 to 82,000. There will also be a new 200-bedroom hotel, health and leisure club, conference and exhibition centre, basement parking, new ticket sales facilities, and a new shop and offices for the RFU in the £70m project. Two blocks of flats will also be built.

The announcement has largely been welcomed by community leaders who say it will bring new jobs and major economic spin offs. The decision is subject to approval from the Government Office for London and the Mayor of London.

Twickenham Councillor David Porter summed up the dilemma faced by the planning committee, saying: "It is difficult with a case like this because the benefits of the scheme are very wide and global, and will be broadly beneficial for Twickenham.

"But this comes at a cost to a small number of residents."

At the meeting, residents from Whitton Road, who live directly opposite the development, spoke against the plans, saying their road would be changed from a residential to a commercial area in one fell swoop'.

The scale of the plan and the resulting loss of privacy are their main objections.

Robert Irvine, chairman of the Whitton Road residents' association, said: "There will be a massive loss of privacy; guests from the hotel will be able to look into our homes."

He explained they knew when they moved in they were living opposite a rugby ground, but did not realise it would become Blackpool illuminations' with a hotel. He added that because of its sheer size it will be like living opposite a skyscraper.

The RFU's architect, Terry Ward, said the scheme humanises the complex', giving it a face. He also explained that they aimed to reduce the physical and visual impact of the development by setting it back from the road.

Mike McCrory, a traffic consultant, received a particularly thorough grilling from the committee on the traffic predictions following the development.

Other speakers in favour of the development included the Twickenham Operatic Society who welcomed the new arts centre and John Austin from the Twickenham Town Centre Management Group who believe the development will boost the local economy.

Following the meeting, the planning committee chairman, Cllr Richard Hollis, said: "This is a hugely significant development and the committee gave its approval following lengthy and detailed discussions and after taking into account the views of all interested parties."

The leader of Richmond Council, Cllr Tony Arbour, said: "This exciting scheme is of national and international importance as the stadium is the home of English rugby, a showpiece ground which focuses the eyes of the rugby world. The redevelopment will ensure it becomes truly fit for the world champions.

"It will also have major economic spin-offs for west London, providing a massive boost for employment and the economy of the region as a whole."

Esther Worboys, Twickenham town centre manager, said the project was the logical completion and evolution of Twickenham's greatest and most well known public asset': "It will clearly bring more people into the town. A number will come from the additional spectators on match days, but the greater benefit will be from the thousands of hotel guests who will be here all the year round, looking for places to eat, drink, shop and enjoy our many leisure activities.

"The four star hotel, the largest in the borough, will attract many visitors to the area who will be intending to visit the tourist attractions in Twickenham and elsewhere," she said.

"The benefits to the town will be even greater as the planned improvements to the access to the town centre are implemented such as more bus links, and perhaps a hotel shuttle, easier crossing of the A316, and improved directional, town centre and car park signage."

Francis Baron, Chief Executive of the RFU, said: "On behalf of the RFU, I'd like to say that we are delighted with the result. A substantial amount of time and effort has been invested by the local authority, our stadium and community relations departments and by our independent consultants.

"While our aim is to improve the stadium through the redevelopment and deliver higher revenue streams for English rugby, we will continue our consultation with the local community, the majority of whom have been very supportive of our plans, to ensure that any inconvenience to them during the redevelopment is kept to a minimum."

Yet the residents of Whitton Road, whose homes face the development said that while they had anticipated the decision, it was still disappointing.

Val Wilding said the councillors on the committee were sympathetic to their plight, asking if there was anything that could be done in planning conditions which would lessen the impact. She said: "While the residents expected the decision, we were equally appalled." They are asking the RFU to honour their offer of buying the homes of people who wish to move.

Vincent Cable MP, who attended the meeting said: "The council's decision was a very difficult one: not just on the basis of finely balanced advice but with the need to balance the very real worries and objections of a minority, the residents who will have the stand towering over them, with wider interests.

"I hope that the RFU will follow through its offer to talk to the residents about compensation by buying up homes which are now seriously depreciated in value. I have written to Francis Baron to encourage him to pursue his offer seriously. Planning law is defective in not allowing for such compensation but in this case I hope the RFU will be magnanimous."