Future co-operation between City and Bulls not ruled out

However, both parties did not categorically rule out the proposals of Bradford City joint-chairman Julian Rhodes to base the two clubs at Valley Parade under one umbrella.

Peter Hood, chairman of Bradford Bulls, said: "The Odsal Sport Village remains on schedule, but as always with projects of this size that encompass a number of partners, it is a slow process. We are confident that will still happen.

"However, if it were to fail we would have to look at what is the best option for the future of Bradford Bulls and if that option is moving to Valley Parade then absolutely, we would look, along with Bradford City, into seeing if that could work."

The council's strategic director for culture, tourism and sport, Jane Glaister, said: "The council, with its partners, is investing in a sports village for the whole community.

"Both City and the Bulls are private companies independent of the council's control; should both clubs wish to pursue the option of ground sharing at Valley Parade that would be their decision and not something the council should seek to influence.

"However, Valley Parade does not offer the same opportunity to collate a wide range of sport, leisure, education and health community facilities alongside professional sport, and would not support its aspiration to deliver the sports village.

"We have serious options for the Odsal Sports Village project and everything is going to plan and is on timetable."

The council could not comment on the value of the Odsal site in its present guise.