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The dream of a brand new stadium for Castleford Tigers is a step closer to reality after Waystone, the company behind the award-winning Glasshoughton development, submitted an outline planning application for a community stadium.

The £75m development, which will also include an office park and hotel at Glasshoughton (adjacent to Xscape) by junction 32 of the M62, is expected to create 1,500 jobs and add to the 3.5 million visitors a year already coming to Glasshoughton.

Stuart McLoughlin, managing director of Waystone, said: “We have drawn up some exciting plans for a community stadium. The local people gave a very clear message, through the Urban Renaissance Initiative and through our own public consultation exercise, that a new stadium for Castleford Tigers was a top priority.

“The design of the stadium is intended to harmonise with the re-engineered and landscaped terrain formed from the tips of the old Glasshoughton colliery.

“Flexibility in the design will allow incorporation in the stadium of a number of additional sports facilities envisaged in Wakefield Council’s future plans for sport in the district.”

“It’s planned that the stadium will have a capacity of 13,000 including 5,000 standing, and will play host to a number of community events, including concerts, as well as being home to Castleford Tigers.

Richard Wright, the chief executive of Castleford Tigers, said: This application is a triumph for perseverance, patience and partnership. We’ve been working on the new stadium project for over five years.”

He added: “The planning application is one more step but it is a massive step, and Waystone have invested a great deal of hard work and considerable costs in its preparation.

“Waystone has done a fabulous job at Glasshoughton and we feel very good about working with them. Wakefield Council has also been very committed to the project and can see the benefit to the Tigers and also to the wider community.

“It is a genuine partnership, and although we still have a great deal of work to do to turn the dreams into reality, all parties involved are committed to making it happen.”

Owen Holder, associate with property consultants Knight Frank in Leeds, said: “Glasshoughton is a fantastic location at the heart of the Yorkshire region and at the hub of its motorway network. Waystone has created a wonderful destination location, and a community stadium would be a perfect addition to a very impressive development.”

The new Castleford Tigers stadium has been designed by Leeds-based SMC Gower Architects, part of the international SMC Group Plc, which has been involved with the proposed development since the very start.

Yorkshire Post Special Publication ‘Wakefield First’ - 26 June 2007