English rugby league Super League club the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats has gained support from parliament for a proposed new stadium.
Trinity is required to inform the Rugby Football League, the governing body of the sport in England, of its plans for next season by July 31.
The club is looking at building a 10,000-seat stadium in nearby Newmarket. The location was originally given planning approval in 2012, but has since been hit with several delays.
As the Guardian newspaper reports, leader of Wakefield council Peter Box last week urged the current developers to remove themselves from the project as the most recent Head of Terms agreement put forward was dubbed as “not fit for purpose.”
Despite this, the All-Party Parliamentary Rugby League Group has said it would work to help the rugby club’s plans to build a new stadium.
MP Judith Cummins, who is a member of the group, has said she would confer with the council and the club in order to support the situation at hand.
According to the Guardian, Cummins said: “The Parliamentary Rugby League Group is aware of the ongoing issues regarding the development of a new stadium for Wakefield Trinity. Given that the scheme secured planning approval in 2012, it is disappointing that it continues to face setbacks.
“On behalf of the Group, I will be writing to Wakefield council and Wakefield Trinity, offering the group’s support in finding a resolution to the current situation. Wakefield Trinity have a proud history in rugby league, and it is vital that plans for the stadium are put back on track, to develop a facility for the whole community.”
Trinity’s current Belle Vue stadium home does not meet Super League standards and if the new stadium plans are not approved, the club will be forced to move out of the city and play elsewhere.
If the proposed stadium will be ready as planned by 2019, Trinity could receive dispensation to remain at Belle Vue for another year.
Image: Éamonn
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