Wakefield, which is relying on moving into a new stadium to retain its status in the European Super League in the long term, announced that UK Communities Secretary Eric Pickles had backed the scheme in Rothwell, clearing a major hurdle before the vision becomes a reality.
The stadium will have a capacity of 12,000 seats and should be ready for the start of the 2015 season. Super League’s existing club licences expire at the end of the 2014 campaign.
“This is great news and another huge step towards better sporting facilities for the district,” Wakefield chief executive James Elston said.
“There has been a lot going on behind the scenes since the planning permission was provisionally passed in June and with this being rubber-stamped by the secretary of state we're now well placed to take that on further and create a really secure future for this club.”
The development beside the M62 motorway will also include a hotel, restaurant and warehouses.
Wakefield City Council backed the development in 2010, but neighbouring Leeds City Council objected to the use of green-belt land and a possible blurring of the boundaries between Leeds and Wakefield.
The case was the subject of a public inquiry in December 2011 and was eventually sent on to Pickles for a decision.
