The planning application for the long awaited Odsal Stadium is expected to be considered in December - more than a year after it was first submitted to Bradford Council.

Developer Sterling Capitol is completing a study of any effect the Tesco superstore in the £60 million scheme could have on city centre retailers and neighbourhood shopping centres.

It is the last piece of research the planners need to do before the application can be considered by Bradford Area Planning Panel.

Leeds-based Sterling Capitol has also carried out traffic and environment assessments which have contributed to the delay in the application - originally expected to be heard by last month.

But within the next few weeks the planning application will be re-advertised containing the new information and people will get a fresh opportunity to object.

The move towards a start on the development comes as Bradford Bulls celebrate their success as Super League champions. Bulls chief executive Abi Ekoku said it was more important than ever for the club to have top facilities and he was delighted a planning date had now been set.

Bradford Council will have to refer the planning application to Stephen Byers, Secretary of Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, for a final decision because the scheme includes shopping.

But Minister of Sport Richard Caborn has said he will do anything in his power to speed up procedures.

Sterling Capitol managing director Martin Croxon said: "The process has been slow, but it is better to get it right. The timing will be up to the Government, but we would hope to be on site by the middle of next year."

He said the Bulls had moved into Valley Parade until the 2003 season so the new stadium could be developed.

Bradford Chamber of Trade and Bradford Retail Action Group have not objected to the development.