Cornwall Council's Conservative deputy Scott Mann quits

Image caption, The 10,000-seat stadium is planned at Threemilestone

Scott Mann has resigned as deputy leader of the Conservative group on Cornwall Council in a protest over funding for a proposed sports stadium.

He emailed his resignation to leader Alec Robertson, saying a report was being presented to the council asking for up to 拢16m of funding.

Mr Mann said he was against taxpayer funding for the 拢24m Stadium for Cornwall at Threemilestone.

Developer Inox has outline planning permission for the 10,000-seat stadium.

The Exeter-based firm also wants to build 1,500 houses at

Mr Mann said in his email: "The Conservative group have made it clear on two separate occasions that no taxpayer funding should be used.

"However a report is now being presented asking for 12-16 million pounds worth of funding.

"I am of the view that the aims and ambitions of the council need to reflect our supported will as a group. It is very apparent that this has not been the case here."

Mr Mann confirmed the content of the email but declined to comment further.

Mr Robertson, who has led the Conservative-Independent coalition since the elections for the new unitary authority in June 2009, declined to make an immediate comment.