Legal challenge hits £44m stadium

THE York Community Stadium is facing yet another setback after cinema chain Vue launched a legal challenge against the £44m leisure development.

Seven months after a review forced York City Council into sinking a further £7m into the initial £37m project, a judicial review has been set in motion by Vue cinemas.

A judge gave permission last week for the chain to launch a legal challenge, contesting plans for the site which would deliver a 13-screen cinema – making it the third in the historic city – according to the BBC.

The Vue has a 12-screen cinema at Clifton Moor.

The decision to hold a review could add six months on to development timelines, and if the courts decide that the Council did not follow proper processes when they granted permission for the development in June, the planning application for the whole development will have to be considered again.

This setback has had an effect on the clubs that would be homed at the new stadium, York City Knights who, along with York City Football Club would be based at the site, have not been mentioned on the upcoming fixture list for the Kingstone Press League 1.

John Guildford, owner of York City Knights relayed a statement from the Rugby Football League on Twitter: “As you will see, York City Knights are not currently included in the Fixture List. We are liaising with the Club in relation its [sic] ownership structure and facilities to play home games and, subject to resolution on this, we hope to be in a position to confirm their participation in the Kingstone Press League 1 in the next few weeks.”

Vue has been contacted for comment.