York City are expected to submit their long overdue planning application to redevelop Huntington Stadium within the next ten to 15 days.

The Evening Press understands the club hope to deliver their blueprint to the City of York Council next Friday, November 21, or on the following Monday.

City's stadium development director, Ian McAndrew, admitted the club was edging closer to finally submitting the document.

However, he was reluctant to give a firm date before all the relevant parties with an interest in the stadium redevelopment have been informed.

Those parties include the York City Knights Rugby League Club, Nestl Rowntree Athletics Club and Bootham Crescent Holdings.

"We are working very hard on it and time is marching on fast, but it is important we keep everyone involved and fully up to speed on what is happening," said McAndrew.

The Evening Press understands meetings between the Knights, the council, the football club and the athletics club are also due to take place later this month.

However, if the clubs' plans are submitted next week it will mark only the next step in a long process.

Even if the application is then approved - and the planning process is complicated by the fact the stadium is on council-owned land - it is already up to four months behind schedule.

Even without any further delays, major doubts as to whether Huntington can be brought up to Football League standards in time for the start of next season remain.

If it is not, City, their lease to stay at Bootham Crescent by then having run out, face the prospect of having nowhere to play their opening home fixtures.

Douglas Craig, chairman of Bootham Crescent Holdings, owners of the club's current home, has so far refused to say whether he would be willing to grant the club an extension to their current lease.

Updated: 10:30 Saturday, November 15, 2003