Two independent commissioners have given Hastings District Council the go-ahead to change its district plan and develop a $56 million regional sports park west of the city.
The council is already committed to spending $17m on an all-weather athletic track and grandstand, but needed permission to re-zone land for two other stages, which include an indoor velodrome.
The commissioners, who spent almost five months considering submissions on the plan change, acknowledge the environmental impact the park will have.
But they say that's outweighed by the social and economic benefits a regional sports park will provide.
Hastings' Mayor Lawrence Yule says the decision paves the way for an international sporting facility which could generate an extra $43m over five years for Hawke's Bay.
