Wakefield Council planners have approved the £135m Five Towns Park scheme, on land near Junction 32 of the M62 at Glasshoughton.

The development will mean the end of rugby league at the Tigers’ old Wheldon Road ground, which opened in 1926.

The plan, which includes over 500,000 sq ft of retail and new transport links to Castleford, still has to be approved by communities secretary Eric Pickles before building work can start.

Lateral Property Group is expected to use its construction partner Leeds-based GMI to deliver the project.

The building firm recently completed the construction of a 12,000 seat community stadium for Rotherham United Football Club.

Castleford Tigers chief executive Steve Gill said: “Today has been a big milestone in the clubs history and one I’m so proud to be part of.

“The team here have worked tirelessly to get to this point and I’m overwhelmed by the masses of support we have received and the well wishes, especially from other Super League clubs, cementing the fact that rugby league is the best sport in the world, with awesome fans.”

He added: “The application will now be referred to the National Planning Casework Unit for their consideration and we must await their decision.”