OPPOSITION councillors have called for fresh assurances on York’s community stadium project after a stinging attack on the scheme from the city’s rugby league club.

John Guildford, executive chairman of York City Knights, told The Press this week he believed taxpayers’ money had been wasted on the proposals and the preferred option of building the arena at Monks Cross lacked substance.

Now City of York Council’s Labour group said clear the air talks needed to be held to ensure the stadium, which would be the new home for the Knights and York City FC and other community facilities, was not derailed.

Coun Sonja Crisp, the party’s leisure spokesperson, said: “This is worrying, given York City Knights are one of the major partners in the project.

“The council’s executive must now be asked some serious questions, as during the debate on the stadium at the last council meeting it was implied it had unanimous support among those involved. Trust appears to have broken down between the Knights and the council, so that needs to be restored quickly.”

She said Labour wanted answers on a number of issues, including the extent of community activity at the stadium.

Labour group leader Coun James Alexander said: “Our support has always been qualified and remains so, given the uncertainties which still exist.”