A PROMINENT Allerdale councillor and Reds’ shareholder is calling for any decisions on the shared stadium for Workington to be postponed until after the local elections in May.

The borough council has lodged plans to bulldoze Borough Park to make way for a £25m venue to host the town’s football and rugby league teams.

But Joe Sandwith, a UKIP councillor for Seaton, believes that those who are “pushing” for the stadium plans may take a hit at the ballot box, with the borough council elections serving as a litmus test of public opinion.

“I believe Borough Park shouldn’t be demolished until the people of Allerdale have had their say on May 2,” Mr Sandwith added.

This year will also see a major change in the political landscape of Allerdale, with the number of councillors slashed from 56 to 49 following a ward boundary shake-up.

Mr Sandwith was one of four Reds’ shareholders who called for an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Club’s board at the end of last week to address concerns over the stadium.

But he will now have to re-submit his demands after being asked by Mike Rollo, the Financial and Commercial Director Workington AFC Ltd to include additional information in accordance with the “required process”.

Shareholders want assurances that they will be consulted before any decisions are taken or any documents signed about Reds moving from their ground.

The council learned at the end of last month that they will host games for the Rugby League World Cup 2021, with the creation of the stadium a cornerstone of their bid.

But proposals for an 8,000-capacity community stadium for Workington Reds and Workington Town have divided opinion across Allerdale since the scale of the project was revealed.

Some have praised the district authority for its ambition amid claims an overhaul of the town’s rundown sports grounds is long overdue.

It has been claimed the project will raise the town’s profile, bring revenue into the area and encourage the next generation of sporting stars.

But opposition councillors have branded it a “white elephant” and a “vanity project”, accusing council chiefs of “railroading” the plans through and “jumping the gun”.

They have also described the venture as “risky”.

Allerdale council has been approached for comment.