One of West Yorkshires biggest regeneration schemes – a multi million pound proposal to create a new community stadium and headquarters for Castleford Tigers – is retaining international architects SMC Gower as part of a team which aims to make the project a reality.

Leeds based SMC Gower has been working alongside developer Waystone Ltd and Yorkshire Forward on the ambitious £40m development from the conception of the scheme three years ago.

SMC Gower’s design work for the development of the former 135 hectare site of Glasshoughton Colliery is at a stage where an outline planning application is due to be submitted to Wakefield Council.

The proposed development aims to help further regenerate the former colliery community by creating a prestigious business park and hotel complex alongside the stadium.

Architectural input by SMC Gower is being led by director Philip Scott who was initially involved with the feasibility study at the site, adjacent to the Xscape complex near junction 32 of the M62.

“Regeneration work is extremely exciting especially where it will help to revitalise the local community after the closure of the colliery 20 years ago” he said.

The stadium will have a capacity of 13 000 and apart from being the headquarters of Castleford Tigers, will host community events such as concerts.

Mr Scott said, obviously, designs and plans will remain under wraps until Waystone’s outline planning application is submitted and becomes public later this summer.

“It is an exciting challenge to absorb the desires of a community which longs for regeneration and takes its rugby league seriously, and marry these with the aspirations of the prestigious developer, such as Waystone, to create designs which encompass all this in a visually exciting practical way.”