Minister for Sport Richard Caborn has given his full backing to the £60million redevelopment of Bradford's Odsal Stadium.

On a visit to the stadium yesterday, Mr Caborn called on Bradford Council and Govern-ment officers to take full account of the development's immense value to the region when considering the planning application.

The former planning minister will discuss the scheme with Prime Minister Tony Blair and says everything possible must be done to get the scheme approved.

He said at a presentation of the proposals at the stadium by developers yesterday: "I want this to happen. I don't want things to get in the way.

"It will show that Bradford is in business again."

Mr Caborn said he would do everything in his power to speed up decisions on the planning application which has now been submitted to Bradford Council.

It will have to be referred to the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions because the scheme includes proposals for a large Tesco superstore and leisure outlets - which are contrary to current Government preferences on out-of-town shopping.

But the minister said he did not want bureaucracy to stand in the way. He said he also looked forward to changes currently being implemented in the existing bureaucratic planning system to make it "proactive rather than re-active".

He added: "It has to take a wider view of an area like Bradford. Things should not be locked into a bureaucratic system which is just looking at statistics."

He said if retail was needed as the commercial element to enable the sports stadium itself to be developed, then that should be considered by planning officers and balanced against other issues.

"I will be speaking to the Prime Minister," he said. "I feel it is important he should be aware of this development."

He said the scheme, which would include remedial work on a former landfill tip, would bring a solution to a polluted site and he hoped English Partnerships and other agencies would be able to help the developers.

The presentation was given to the minister by developers Sterling Capitol and their partner Tesco when he visited Bradford on a regional tour.

Martin Venning, Tesco's Corporate Affairs Manager, said he was delighted with the minister's refreshing views and support.

He added: "The present planning system is extremely good at telling you how not to do things."

Martin Croxon, Managing Director of Sterling Capitol, said: "I am very pleased to hear of the minister's whole-hearted support."

The planning application submitted by Sterling Capitol is expected to considered by Bradford Area Planning Panel in the autumn.

It will include a full assessment which is being prepared by the developers on the anticipated effect of the Tesco store on other retailers.

Morrisons have already written to planning officers about traffic concerns, but not the effect on business.