By Liam O'Connor BBC Radio Manchester Blast Reporter

The stadium should be completed for the start of the 2012 season

Plans to build Salford City Reds' new stadium at Barton have been given the go-ahead by Salford City Council.

The Reds aim to move into the 20,000-seater stadium by 2012 and are hopeful that it will mean they do not lose their Super League licence.

Chairman John Wilkinson told BBC Radio Manchester: "It will put us on the same playing field as the clubs around us."

The proposals now go to the Department for Communities and Local Government for final approval.

Wilkinson said: "The new stadium is a huge part of our licence bid. We have to tick so many boxes and the old stadium doesn't really comply with Super League standards.

Look at where Manchester City were at Maine Road and now where they are at Eastlands Salford chairman John Wilkinson

"If all goes well we will have a stadium that is compliant with Super League criteria."

The Reds chairman also believes a new stadium could be as beneficial for the club as Manchester City's move to Eastlands.

"Look at where they were at Maine Road and now where they are at Eastlands," he said.

"The move attracted new investment and helped put them in the position they are in today.

"The new stadium at Barton is an opportunity for us to increase our fan base, sponsorship and commercial activities.

"The stadium opens doors for us that were closed previously."

Salford City Council has formed a joint venture company with Peel Holdings to first build and then manage the stadium with the Reds holding a licence to play there indefinitely.

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