Castleford Tigers had a difficult 2023 despite famous wins over Leeds Rhinos and Warrington Wolves.
Fans are hoping that thigs will improve in 2024 and some impressive signings have been made to create optimism.
But fans mostly want to enjoy a modern stadium but despite having the funds the Tigers have been unable to begin work.
This is because the Environmental Agency continues to object the plans due to concerns over flooding.
They wrote the following letter:
“FULL PLANNING APPLICATION FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT OF EXISTING STADIUM COMPRISING DEMOLITION OF EXISTING MAIN (EAST) STAND AND REPLACEMENT WITH NEW ALL-SEATER STAND WITH ASSOCIATED CORPORATE HOSPITALITY AND ENTERTAINMENT FACILITIES CASTLEFORD RUGBY LEAGUE FOOTBALL CLUB, WHELDON ROAD, CASTLEFORD, WF10 2SD
“The Environment Agency has been consulted and previously provided three formal responses to this application on 13 January 2023, 18 April 2023 and 25 May 2023.
“We have reviewed the supplementary submission dated 13 September 2023 (Reference: SJE/H/JSS/47187-006), which includes notes from a meeting held on 3 July 2023 between the Environment Agency and representatives of the applicant.
“In the absence of an acceptable flood risk assessment (FRA) we are maintaining our objection to this application and recommend that planning permission is refused.
“Reason(s): The submitted FRA does not comply with the requirements for site-specific flood risk assessments, as set out in paragraphs 20 to 21 of the Flood Risk and Coastal Change planning practice guidance and its site-specific flood risk assessment checklist. The FRA does not therefore adequately assess the flood risks posed by the development. In particular, the FRA fails to:
Provide details of suitable flood risk mitigation measures.
“Demonstrate that the development does not increase flood risk to others.
“To overcome our objection, the applicant should submit a revised FRA which addresses the points highlighted above, while also considering the agreed actions from the meeting held on 3 July 2023 that was attended by the Environment Agency and representatives of the applicant.
“We note that the proposed development will result in an increase in footprint in Flood Zone 3 of 980m2. We note that the proposal still includes compensatory storage in Flood Zone 3.”