Plans to boost Elland Road capacity 'imminent'

Leeds United are set to put forward plans to boost the capacity at their Elland Road ground to 56,500, it has been announced.

The club are expected to submit a formal planning application outlining the scheme "imminently", Leeds City Council said.

If approved, the proposal, which also includes plans to regenerate the wider area around the ground, would increase the capacity by nearly 20,000.

A report due to go before city councillors later this month said 30 acres of brownfield publicly-owned land would be developed and that Elland Road would become a "thriving 365 day a year destination".

The report said that if planning permission was granted, construction work could start on the West Stand "in the next 12 months" while work on the North Stand would then begin as a "second phase of redevelopment".

Located in Beeston, Elland Road has been the club's home ground for 106 years.

The expansion would make it England's seventh-biggest football stadium.

The club's chief operating officer, Morrie Eisenberg said: "Elland Road holds a significant place in the hearts of Leeds United fans and the city as a whole.

"This agreement with Leeds City Council marks another step towards our ambition to expand and refresh a century-old stadium, while retaining the unique atmosphere and spirit of Elland Road.

"Our commitment to the long-term success of the club is illustrated in our plans to invest in, modernise and re-vision the stadium - improving the facilities and the ability to welcome thousands more supporters through its doors."

James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said the club "deserves a stadium befitting of its special status and incredible fans".

He said the council was keen to support the proposal "however we can" to ensure the club was in the "build a bigger, brighter future for the club, their supporters and sport in the city".

Local residents will be consulted throughout the planning process, Lewis added.

The council said Elland Road's redevelopment would complement other separate schemes in the south Leeds area.

Those include proposals for a British Library North at Temple Works, for which £10m worth of funding was secured in February, and a Holbeck Sports Hub complex, which would feature a new community gym and sports pitches.

The plans are due to discussed at a meeting of the council's executive board on 23 April.

West Yorkshire mayor Tracy Brabin said: "I'm excited by the ambition and courage Leeds United are showing in their plans to transform the city into one of the country's sporting superpowers.

"Elland Road and the surrounding area have huge potential for regeneration and growth – its great to see the club and Leeds City Council cooperating on such an impressive scheme."

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.