A COVENANT on land earmarked for York’s new Community Stadium will not be a barrier to the development, the council’s leisure chief says.

Coun Sonja Crisp, City of York Council’s cabinet member for leisure, culture and social inclusion, said a detailed investigation of all “title issues” had been undertaken before plans were brought forward for the development.

Concerns have been expressed that a covenant in place on the existing Huntington Stadium land could affect the nature of the new plans, by restricting where shops can go.

John Guildford, the owner of York City Knights, has suggested a 9,000 capacity bowl-type stadium and says the covenant has hindered the council’s original scheme, as it restricts where shops can be built.

He says that if his proposal was accepted, David Sherry, of Dartstone Ltd, and the former land owner, would lift that covenant, allowing the land to be used for activities other than sport and recreation.

Central to the Monks Cross scheme is its potential to generate income, through a retail park next to the Community Stadium, and from cash brought in by activities at the ground itself.

Asked about the covenant, Coun Crisp said: “Before bringing forward our plans for the community stadium we undertook a detailed investigation of all title issues and our scheme is deliverable at this site and within the existing timescale.

“This view has been endorsed by the submission of a planning application by a credible regional developer, who have undertaken their own due diligence as part of their application.”

On Mr Guildford’s planning scheme, she added: “It’s excellent news that York City Knights are signed up to the vision of a community stadium for York, which would serve both York City Football Club and themselves, at Monks Cross.

“This is testament to the ongoing discussions we’ve had with both clubs and other partners, as part of the design process.

“The additional facilities proposed in Mr Guildford’s initial ideas do include elements which would be difficult to reconcile within the existing timescale, such as the large housing development in the green belt and the proposed athletics track and other commercial uses over a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

“However, it is now for us to discuss those ideas which can be realistically incorporated into the community stadium plans going forward.”