FORMER York City chairman and the club's current landlord Douglas Craig today declined to reveal whether he would be willing to offer the football club an extended stay at Bootham Crescent.

The club's agreement with ground owners Bootham Crescent Holdings to stay at their home for the past 71 years runs out at the end of this season, when it is anticipated the Minstermen will move into a redeveloped Huntington Stadium.

The club hope to submit a planning application for their revamp plans by the end of September.

However, the planning process is likely to be a long one and because the stadium is on council-owned land the application is expected to be called in by the government.

Even if the football club's application is submitted within the next few weeks, City's scheme could be up to two months behind schedule.

The football club had originally planned to lodge their application towards the end of July, in order for the planning process and building works to be completed in time for City to start the 2004-05 season at Huntington.

The delays mean a redeveloped Huntington may not be ready for the season's kick-off in August next year leaving City, their lease to stay at Bootham Crescent by then having run out, facing the prospect of having nowhere to play their opening home fixtures.

Asked whether he would be willing to extend City's lease beyond this season should the club need more time to complete their redevelopment of Huntington, BCH chairman Craig was giving little away.

"I am not prepared to speculate at this time," he told the Evening Press.

Craig said he had not been approached by the football club asking for a lease extension should it be required.

"What it all depends on is the council getting on with making a decision (on the club's application)," said Craig.

The former City chairman accused the City of York Council planning department of "procrastination" over Persimmon Homes' planning application to build 93 homes on Bootham Crescent.

BCH have a conditional agreement to sell Bootham Crescent to Persimmon on condition that planning permission is granted and of vacant possession.

Persimmon's application was lodged with the council more than 12 months ago but has still to be brought before councillors for a decision.

The application has received around 1,600 objections, a record number for the local authority to have received.

City of York Council denied it was dragging its feet over Persimmon's planning application to build on Bootham Crescent.

A spokeswoman said: "We always intended to discuss Persimmon's planning application for Bootham Crescent alongside any application from the football club regarding future premises.

"The process is complicated in that before we can seriously consider any plans for Bootham Crescent we need to be certain that York City has found alternative accommodation and that we are not going to lose an important recreational facility.

"Officers are currently in talks with York City regarding the application they want to put forward in connection with Huntington Stadium."

Updated: 11:15 Thursday, September 11, 2003