Government gives greenlight to �135m stadium and retail development

The scheme which was already approved by Wakefield Council in February 2015, was passed on to Department of Communities and Local Government due to its size - the development will include a 10,000 capacity stadium for the Castleford Tigers, 50-acre country park, shops and restaurants

It has now been decided that it does not need to assess the project, and plans can go ahead.

Developers Lateral Property Group said the scheme could create 2,000 jobs.

Castleford Tigers chief executive Steve Gill commented: ""It's a huge relief to hear the application is not being called in, we are now in a great position to deliver the Five Towns Park project to our local community. There are a lot of excited people in Cas at the moment, but we still have a lot of work to do before we start the groundwork.""

Philip Lunn, managing director of Lateral Property Group, added: ""We welcome the secretary of state's decision not to �call-in' the Five Towns Park planning application and to allow Wakefield Council's decision to stand. This is a significant step towards the delivery of this development.

""I am sure that many people within the community will be delighted with this news. We expect to make further announcements soon.""