The dream of a multi-million pound development at Odsal Stadium has taken a major step forward with the agreement of a three-way contract.

The deal between Bradford Council, developers Sterling Capitol and Bradford Bulls paves the way for the massive scheme to go ahead.

Councillors agreed the contract at yesterday's executive committee.

A scaled-down version of the original 30,000 seater stadium is expected to be submitted to the planning department before the end of the month.

But the final say will be with the Department for Environment, Transport and the Regions because it contains a shopping scheme.

Sterling Capitol is expected to link with shopping giant Tesco to carry out the development, but no timescale has been given for its completion.

The Council faces a six-figure bill to maintain and improve Odsal Stadium if the Bulls stay on next season, however. Bulls Chairman Chris Caisley has confirmed he is talking with three other parties about a temporary move from Odsal, including Bradford City.

Resident David Warburton demanded regular information about the development and complained at the meeting the public had been kept in the dark.

He was told by executive member for regeneration Councillor Simon Cooke there had been little to report but they would get regular information in future. He added the Council had now delivered its part in the Odsal agreement and it was now up to the other parties to do the rest.

Councillor Dave Green (Labour, Odsal) said third parties had caused problems in the past but with good will on both sides there was no reason why it should not go ahead.

The contract is subject to confirmation from Sterling Capitol that they have satifactorily resolved any outstanding legal issues involving the Bulls.

l Also at the meeting Coun Green criticised the timescale for proposals which radically changed the way funding is given to voluntary groups.

The Council may commission specific services and invite groups to apply to provide them instead of allocating grants in response to bureaucratic applications.

But Coun Green said the proposals could mean redundancies.