Speedway could return to Odsal as early as next March after Bradford Council gave permission for racing to return to the Bradford Bulls’ stadium 16 years after it was scrapped.

Tony Mole, the sport’s president, last night said work would continue to secure a licence for a team in the Premier League – the second tier of speedway – after the authority used delegated powers to approve an bid to bring the competition back to the city.

The sport disappeared from Bradford in 1997, immediately after Bradford Dukes won speedway’s inaugural Elite League title.

Kidderminster-based businessman Mr Mole said if a licence was granted by the British Speedway Promoters’ Association in September, racing could return at the start of next season.

“The aim is to enter a team into the Premier League and the league doesn’t start again until next March, so we’d be looking at 2014,” he said.

Mr Mole said work would need to take place with the Speedway Control Bureau to construct a track which conforms to safety regulations.

He said: “I would anticipate the people of Bradford would welcome the return of speedway. It was well-supported until it was scuppered by proposals to redevelop the ground in 1997.

“I would expect a very good opening crowd, as many as the rugby league – if not better.”

Bradford Bulls’ owners welcomed the news the application hd been granted, but said work still needed to take place to see if speedway could return. Bradford South MP Gerry Sutcliffe, co-chairman of the Super League side, said: “It’s good, but we would have to look at the technical requirements of speedway.

“For example, the Coral Stand is new since the last time speedway was at Odsal and there could be some issues with drainage, but we’re happy to investigate and explore those.

“We will of course have to speak to the Rugby Football League as they are the owners of the ground.”

The Council decision to grant planning permission was made as the previous track had remained ‘in situ’ and had not been ‘abandoned’ since planning permission was granted in 1984.

When the application was submitted, the RFL, which bought the long-term lease of the Bulls’ home last year, told of its surprise that an application had been made. No-one at the RFL was available for comment last night.

e-mail: hannah.postles@telegraphandargus.co.uk

Twitter: @HannahP_TandA