BREAKING - Government needs more time to decide on new Castleford Tigers’ stadium

The development - which would be built on land just off junction 32 of the M62 - was sent to the Department for Communities and Local Government following approval by Wakefield Council in February.

Government ministers and officials had until today (Tuesday, March 24) to make a decision but they have issued an Article 25 holding direction which prevents any action being taken on the application while the department considers whether or not it needs to intervene.

A DCLG spokesman said: “This planning application has been referred to the department by Wakefield Council. We are currently considering whether to call-in this planning case – having received requests to intervene. However, only a very small number of planning cases are called-in each year.

“This a very complex case, which needs careful consideration, and a decision will be issued in due course.”

The plans include a 10,000-capacity stadium as well as a new food store, petrol station, high-quality shops and a country park on land between Stainburn Avenue and Spittal Hardwick Lane.

It would create around 1,950 full-time jobs and contribute around £7m to the economy.