A major stumbling block to the multi-million pound redevelopment of Odsal Stadium has been overcome.

It was revealed yesterday that the Bradford Bulls and the NHS had struck an agreement over development of the nearby former Northern View Hospital site.

The Bulls have always objected to homes being built on the NHS-owned site, saying it would wreck their plans for the stadium.

But at yesterday's meeting of the Bradford area planning panel at City Hall the club dramatically withdrew its objections to the latest scheme, allowing it to be passed.

Bradford Bulls boss Chris Caisley later said weeks of talks led to an "agreement" between the club and the NHS which guarantees a stadium access route through the land.

Mr Caisley said: "We entered into discussions with the NHS with a view to acquiring an access route through the land to the rear of the stadium and as a result of those discussions it was inappropriate to continue with the objections."

An NHS spokesman said: "We have reached an agreement with the Bradford Bulls now that we will keep access for the road on that particular site.

"But the design of the road has yet to be decided."

A year ago planners rejected a major housing development on the site following objections from the club.

Panel members unanimously refused the outline bid made on behalf of the Secretary of State for Health because their approval would have been too premature.

Robert Clunas, who is campaigning to save the nearby Horsfall playing fields from development as part of the scheme, said: "It appears to be a good compromise between the Bulls and the NHS and providing it has no influence on the Council's decision to sell Horsfall playing fields, as a campaign group we do not have any objections to it."

But he said he was concerned the removal of the Bulls' objections could place Horsfall playing fields in more danger of development: "If, as a result of this, the Council is bullied into selling the playing fields, the campaign will raise its activities."

Mr Caisley declined to be drawn on the Horsfall fields question, saying: "As soon as we have anything further to report in terms of the Odsal Village project, everyone can rest assured we will report it. The fact is there is still a lot of work to be done."