Future of Leeds United's Elland Road safeguarded as ground named a community asset by the council - YEP 18/7/23
Leeds United’s Elland Road ground has been named as an Asset of Community Value by Leeds City Council.
By Abbey Maclure
The council placed Elland Road on its list of ACVs after
considering a nomination from the Leeds United Supporters’ Trust that was
backed by the football club. For Leeds United fans, this means that Elland Road
cannot now be sold without community groups (such as the Supporters’ Trust)
being informed and given a right to bid to purchase it.
The award of ACV status to a building or piece of land means
that, should an owner decide to sell, then the local community will normally be
given an opportunity to bid for it on the open market.
Elland Road was originally named by the council as one of
the city’s ACVs in late 2017, following a previous nomination from the Trust.
Under the terms of the Localism Act 2011, sites remain on a local authority’s
ACV list for five years at a time. The Trust’s newly-approved nomination was
submitted after the recent expiry of Elland Road’s original listing period.
Leeds United Supporters’ Trust said: “The ACV listing
recognises the role of our historic ground and club within the community and
offers some protection against worst-case scenarios of asset stripping. This
means Leeds fans can now exercise their community right to keep Leeds United at
its spiritual home, by protecting Elland Road’s future and being part of any
process in the event of it being sold.
"We would like to thank Leeds United once again for
their support and backing of the new application and understanding the
importance of Elland Road not just to the fans, but the wider community.”
