PORTSMOUTH have been given the go-ahead to totally revamp Fratton Park to bring it up to modern standards with a 35,000 capacity.
Following a public meeting yesterday the local authority agreed to the two-stage development which will first see the seating increased to 28,000 before, providing the club remain in the Premiership, a further 7,000 seats are added.
An accompanying Pompey Village, with assorted facilities, will also be built on the site.
Chief executive Peter Storrie said: "We can now move forward and give our supporters a real Premier League set-up.
"The stadium really is the last piece in the jigsaw other than moving higher in the table and establishing ourselves."
Chairman Milan Mandaric added: "It's another great day for the future of Portsmouth Football Club and with the new stadium our status will be one which befits a club of our stature."
However, before any more can be done there will be a period of judicial review which is expected to last until October.
Yakubu, meanwhile, netted a second-half hat-trick as Pompey came from behind to beat newly-promoted Plymouth 5-1 at Home Park last night.
Dave Worrell gave Plymouth, who host Saints on Saturday in another friendly, a 15th-minute lead which they held until two minutes into the second half.
Lomano Lua Lua, who completed a permanent transfer from Newcastle earlier this month, equalised soon after the break before fellow substitute Yakubu burst into action, scoring twice in five minutes (55 & 60).
Gary O'Neil made it 4-1 in the 65th minute before Yakubu completed his hat-trick 10 minutes from time.
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