TERRACING could be built after all at York’s new community stadium, it emerged this afternoon.

City of York Council says changes to the design criteria for the £19 million stadium at Monks Cross are being proposed to encourage bidders to come forward with an attractive design that also maximises capacity.

“This follows discussions with the bidders’ design teams, alongside feedback from the sports clubs and residents,” said a spokeswoman.

“Key to proposals is the option of considering terracing in the design, particularly if FSIF (Football Stadia Improvement Fund) funding is not secured before the final submission stage.”

York City spokeswoman Sophie Hicks said that money towards the scheme from the FSIF had always been dependent on an all-seater stadium being built, but supporters had made it clear they very much wanted an element of terracing, similar to that provided at the club’s current home, Bootham Crescent.

She said that because of a number of issues, including the length of time the scheme was taking, she understood it was now possible FSIF funding might not be provided, although negotiations were continuing.

If it was no longer available, it would open up the possibility of terracing being brought into the design.

She understood the lower construction costs of terracing would mitigate against the loss of the funding.

Frank Ormston, chairman of the supporters group York Minstermen, said: “On the face of it, this is excellent news. I think the huge majority of fans would like to see some terracing as well as seating. It provides a better atmosphere as well as the opportunity to circulate and see friends.”

The council said an updated business case would be brought to Cabinet members at a meeting on January 7, when they would be asked to agree the framework against which final bids for the design, build, operation and maintenance of the facility would be made.

The spokeswoman said the total cost to the council remains unchanged (at £4 million) from the business case and budget for the project, approved at full council on March 30, 2012. She added that bidders would submit final detailed proposals to the authority in March.