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Leeds United has submitted plans to the City Council to increase the capacity of the English Championship club’s Elland Road stadium, with the local authority’s executive board set to discuss the proposals on April 23.
If the proposal is approved, it would increase the stadium’s capacity by nearly 20,000 to 56,500 making it the eighth largest stadium in England.
The land immediately surrounding Elland Road is owned by Leeds City Council, meaning that agreements will need to be in place between the council and club before any expansion can begin.
A report said that if planning permission was granted then construction work could begin on the West Stand in the next 12 months.
Leader of Leeds City Council, James Lewis, said the club “deserves a stadium befitting of its special status and incredible fans”.
He also said that the council was keen to support the proposal to ensure a brighter future for the club.
In a report to the council’s executive board, the club claims that the stadium expansion would transform and regenerate the wider area with “billions of pounds of investment then being unlocked”.
“With a potential Mass Rapid Transit link for south Leeds, the report outlines a unique opportunity for Elland Road to become a year-round destination, potentially giving a huge boost to the local economy while supporting the council’s broader inclusive growth ambitions,” read a council statement.
“As well as the stadium redevelopment, long term plans for the wider south Leeds area include the potential of British Library North at Temple Works, the Holbeck Sports Hub and Heart of Holbeck, which will include the renewal of the local high street, transformation of a local community centre and the delivery of improvements to traditional terraced homes.”
Elland Road, which has served as Leeds’ home since 1919, currently has a capacity of 37,645.
The club is planning the stadium renovation after it recently took full ownership of the ground for the first time since 2004.
It would bring Elland Road in line with UEFA Category 4 status, the highest possible.
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