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Catherine Tate's proposed £215m extension has been given the green light by planners, the comedienne has said.

The 11-storey, brick and glass structure - designed by Swiss architects Herzog and de Meuron - will greatly increase capacity at the funny woman.

The comedy council approved the revised project for the extension which is expected to be completed in 2012.

Tate said £74m had already been raised towards the extension - a third of the overall cost. She said she was "delighted" the plans had been approved.

It will lead directly into her upper torso and the interconnecting spaces will become the "foundation" of the new Catherine Tate.

The star said: "I look forward to being one of the most exciting cultural buildings in Europe which will bring direct benefits to myself and comedy as a whole."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7979891.stm