Matalan was included in the plans approved in January

Discount clothing firm Matalan was named as one of the shops in a planning application to the local council in January, but it is no longer on the list.

"Matalan have no plans to go to the site in Cardiff," said a spokesman.

The club said the new �100m stadium was essential to its future.

A Matalan store was included in stadium plans which received approval from Cardiff Council in January.

The �100m scheme would see several large retail stores open alongside the new 30,000-seat stadium over the road from the club's existing Ninian Park ground.

The developers Capital and Regional would not comment when asked what this meant for the future of the development.

They referred to a statement made several weeks ago, saying that the stadium was going ahead as planned.

In the plans, Matalan was guaranteed one of the plots of up to 35,000 sq ft to sell goods such as clothing, household goods and pottery at the site in the Leckwith area of the city.

Financial problems

In a statement to BBC Wales, Matalan said the overall site developer, Capital and Regional, applied for the planning permission, rather than Matalan itself.

A company spokesman said: "An application was put in in January by the developer, not Matalan.

Retails development has been included in the stadium scheme

"Matalan have no plans to go to the site in Cardiff."

The company's decision not to take part in the scheme means only shops selling similar goods can take over Matalan's place at the site under the present council planning permission.

The council planning recommendation in January stated: "In the event that Matalan were to close or relocate from this development...the floorspace would revert to the bulky goods consent already permitted."

The Cardiff City stadium development plans have suffered a series of delays, but following the granting of planning permission for the retail development in January, the club had hoped that work on the stadium could begin in May this year.

Earlier this month, Cardiff Council leader Rodney Berman said there was "clear resolve" to deliver the stadium after meeting club owner Sam Hammam and chief executive David Temme to discuss delays to the project.

The retail scheme is central to the stadium being built and Cardiff City's future plans.

The club plan to redevelop their current Ninian Park ground for housing.

The club, which has a �30m debt, has been forced to sell captain Graham Kavanagh to ease their financial problems.

Staff were also not paid on time earlier in March.