Newts Delay Opening of York Community Stadium

The opening of a new community stadium in York has been delayed for an undecided amount of time due to the discovery of great crested newts and procurement delays.

The stadium, order which will be shared by York’s football and rugby league clubs, price was supposed to be opened in 2014 and the City of York Council are now unsure when it will be available.

In 2012 the stadium and retail development at Monks Cross was approved but work on the £90m shopping development had already been delayed before the latest set-back.

Councillor Ian Gillies, pills York’s Conservative leader said there was ‘no reason for newts to delay it’ and added that the council’s plan was ‘flawed’ and that they had done a ‘less than professional job.’

Work can only begin when Huntington stadium, home of the York City Knights, is demolished.

The rugby league club have been told to prepare for another season at their current ground, rather than the 6,000- seater new stadium.

It is likely now that work will not begin on the new ground until September 2014.