And he claimed that the ruling could kill the Super League champions' dream of turning their crumbling home into a modern sports venue.

Caisley said: "My immediate reaction is one of total dismay and sadness for the club, its supporters and the city of Bradford as a whole.

"The decision has jeopardised our plans to the point where we now have to consider our position."

But the club insist they need a modern home of their own to realise their potential and capitalise on their status as world club champions.

Bradford are in the process of taking over Wakefield rugby union club and had planned the new stadium as a dual-code venue.

The development, which the Bulls claim will create 1,600 jobs, had been due for completion in 2003.

Ill-fated

But the public inquiry means that deadline cannot be met and Odsal's owners, the city council, may be forced into carrying out an extensive facelift.

The council are prepared to honour their obligation to upgrade the stadium under the terms of the Bulls' lease, which still has 18 years to run.

But those improvements could cost as much as �20m.