CITY of York Council have received confirmation that the Secretary of State will not call in the planning application for the York Community Stadium and Leisure Complex Scheme.

The decision, made by the planning committee on Friday, March 27 with 16 votes in favour and one abstention, can now be confirmed.

The decision to grant planning consent was subject to the Secretary of State’s approval.

This normally takes up to four weeks but, in this case, the Secretary of State wrote to the council stating that an extension was required.

Once the decision notice is issued, a judicial review period begins that lasts for six weeks.

After this period has passed, the stadium project can progress contracts and other commercial matters to be finalised prior to the commencement of construction.

The development encompasses a new 8,000 seat stadium, leisure and community complex in Huntington.

The site has today been handed over to York Archaeological Trust to begin a community excavation, involving local schools and residents.