The proposed development of a new community sports stadium in York has moved forward after the local authority backed plans to release £200,000 in order to progress the scheme.

Members of the City of York Council's (CYC) cabinet recommended to full council that the funding be made available from £4m allocated in its capital programme for the project.

The latest funding builds on the £398,000 of revenue funds already spent or committed, and is to be used to help further develop the business case and to prepare a consultation process.

York City Football Club and York City Knights rugby league team are poised to move to the new venue, which will also establish a centre of community activity.

County-standard athletics facilities are also proposed as part of the scheme, and it is thought the development could be completed in 2014 subject to planning approval.

A report put before the cabinet said: "The project has reached a point where it has been demonstrated that sufficient certainty exists to reasonably use some of the capital funding in order to progress the project.

"If the procurement exercise begins in January/ February 2012, it would result in the completion of the new facilities sometime in 2014."

Image: York City FC is poised to relocate from its current Bootham Crescent home - Dashwortley