Shortlist drawn up for site of new multi-million pound city stadium

York Council has been overseeing the two-year project to create the new 6,000-seat community stadium, which would be shared between the football club and the York City Knights rugby league team.

Four sites are now in the running including York City's current stadium at Bootham Crescent, as well as a location called Mile Crux to the north of the Nestle factory and land off Hull Road near York University's new 500m Heslington East campus.

However, it is understood that the preferred site for many involved in the process is at Monks Cross on the outskirts of the city which would see the existing Huntington stadium re-developed.

York Council's executive member for city strategy, Coun Steve Galloway, said: "Such opportunities are difficult to fashion and do require the backing of the majority of people in the city if they are to be pursued successfully. This is a once in a generation opportunity."

A public consultation is now being launched. Details are available at www.york.gov.uk