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Super League side set for ground redevelopments with proposed £12 million grant part of their application

Castleford Tigers have announced that they have applied for planning for their stadium redevelopment with 2,200 local jobs set to be created as they do the proposed work.

The Tigers current home of The Jungle is set to have huge work done on it and applications have been submitted to Wakefield Council.

Wakefield themselves are also undergoing a stadium redevelopment making it two clubs in Super League who are seemingly keen to impress IMG, who will oversee rugby league going forward.

The proposed plans are part of Axiom Yorkshire proposals and will see £12.2 million allocated for upgrades to the stadium whilst a further £15 million will be set aside for work on highways in and around the stadium particularly the Junction 32 roundabout.

The club announced the news via tweet and a statement on their website.

“2,200 local jobs to be created as planning applications submitted for Axiom employment site proposals and Castleford Tigers stadium redevelopment.

“Castleford Tigers and Highgrove Group are delighted to confirm that planning applications have been submitted to Wakefield Council for a major upgrade to the Wheldon Road stadium and a significant new employment development on the Axiom site, at Junction 32 on the M62.

“If planning is approved, the circa £200 million Axiom Yorkshire proposals will provide £12.2 million of funding towards major upgrades at Wheldon Road and £15 million of highways improvements to the Junction 32 roundabout, and new employment, logistics and manufacturing floorspace, creating jobs for local people.”

“Once fully developed, the Axiom site will deliver around 1,830 permanent full-time jobs in Castleford, with a further 365 jobs created within the Wakefield Council area. Approximately 1,500 construction jobs will be created per year during the works at both Wheldon Road and the Axiom employment site. It is anticipated that the Axiom proposals will generate around £142 million of local economic activity, once fully operational.

“Funds raised by the proposed new Axiom employment development would supplement Wakefield Council’s £2million grant to Castleford Tigers via their Rugby League Resilience Fund. This mirrors the mechanism of the recent planning approval at Newmarket Lane which is providing funds to redevelop Wakefield Trinity’s Belle Vue ground.

“Proposed improvements to the Wheldon Road stadium will mean that the club can meet Super League standards. A new all-seater main stand will be constructed, providing modern sporting facilities for players and officials, along with a banqueting suite and corporate hospitality function rooms. Refurbishment of Wheldon Road, Princess Street and Railway End stands are also proposed, along with the provision of a new floodlit 4G training pitch.

“Upgraded facilities at Wheldon Road will deliver major improvements to be enjoyed by all fans, including new catering facilities and toilets. Importantly, improved accessibility and much enhanced viewing areas will transform the matchday experience for fans with disabilities.”

Managing Director Mark Grattan said: ”

We are delighted that the planning applications for both Axiom and the Wheldon Road improvements have now been submitted. This is a really important moment for the club and the town more widely. If both planning applications are approved, the money raised will secure the future of Castleford Tigers at Wheldon Road for a generation, at an important time for rugby league, with Super League considering a move to a grading system.

“The quality of our home is critical to our future sporting success, and these plans provide an upgrade to player training and medical facilities. Improving the matchday experience for all fans is of course our priority, but the significantly improved banqueting and hospitality facilities enable us to increase matchday revenue and generate income throughout the week, which in turn benefits the club’s finances.”

A spokesperson for Axiom Yorkshire, owners of the Junction 32 site said:

“Following five months of community consultation, we have now submitted both planning applications to Wakefield Council. The response from the community has been very supportive, we believe because people recognise the huge potential benefits of these two important regeneration proposals for the area. On top of the much-needed improvements for the Castleford Tigers stadium, if approved, the Axiom proposals will deliver around 2,200 jobs, generating wide-ranging socio-economic benefits for the local area.

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