Castleford Tigers have revealed their plans for their stadium redevelopment as well as their plans for Junction 32.
The Tigers received funding from Wakefield City Council like Wakefield Trinity with Belle Vue. But after the release of these plans, the Tigers were dealt with a setback ahead of securing permission.
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.”
Castleford Tigers overcome setback
Photo by Anna Gowthorpe/BPI/Shutterstock 10080784b A general view of the pitch before kick off Castleford Tigers v Catalan Dragons, Super League, Rugby League, Mend-A-Hose Jungle, Castleford, UK – 01 Feb 2019
Despite this, the Tigers have been able to ensure the Environmental agency have withdrawn their prior objection just in time ahead of their February hearing.
The club confirmed in the following statement:
“We are pleased to confirm that following detailed discussions with the Environment Agency and resulting technical amendments to the Wheldon Road stadium upgrade proposals, the Environment Agency has today lifted their holding objection.
“This means that there are no outstanding objections from statutory consultees for either of the Axiom and Wheldon Road planning applications, including on highways, flood risk and drainage. We are hopeful that both planning applications will be heard by Wakefield Council’s planning committee soon.”
As Serious About Rugby League reported, the Tigers are edging closer to securing planning permission and it is expected to be given within the next few months.
This would be a huge boost and the club are confident with them warning season ticket buyers that their seats may need to be changed to allow work to be done during the season.
This will boost the club’s IMG score ahead of the new Super League season after they finished 13th in 2023 though through a mistake. This could secure the club’s Super League status.
