Laing O'Rourke get started on green-lighted Liverpool stadium

Laing O'Rourke has finally been given the green light to begin work on Liverpool's new Stanley Park stadium.

Laing O'Rourke has finally been given the green light to begin work on Liverpool's new Stanley Park stadium.

Following the last tick of the box from Liverpool council the construction firm has now started preparation work for the construction of the £350 million ground.

As well as the ground itself - set at 60,000 capacity - the stadium will also play host to a club shop, a community centre and banqueting or conference facilities.

"This is a significant milestone for the club and I am delighted that the design received full planning consent and that we are now on site," said Liverpool FC's co-chairman George Gillett in a statement on the club's website.

"We have been working very hard over the last six months to move the details of the design along but this is the first tangible evidence for fans that a New LFC Stadium will be built," it continued.

The announcement comes quick on the heels of reports of Portsmouth FC's anticipation for its new club, which was originally turned down due to intervention by the Ministry of Defense.

Work on the southern team's new grounds could now begin as early as 2009, it has been reported, moving the team from their long term home of Fratton Park.