Elland Road expansion plans approved by councillors — West Leeds Despatch 8/1/26

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By John Baron

Councillors have given the green light to major plans to expand Elland Road football stadium.

Councillors on the city plans panel today voted 11-1 to approve Leeds United’s plans for the demolition and redevelopment of the West Stand as well as outline planning permission to increase the capacity of the North Stand.

The approval will see Elland Road’s total capacity increase from just under 38,000 to 53,000.

Only Farnley & Wortley Green Party councillor David Blackburn voted against, saying his concerns were not against the principle of developing the stadium, but over the traffic and travel proposals which would directly affect his and other wards.

He welcomed the creation of new jobs but said he could not support the application as he had concerns over the club’s travel plan.

“The devil is in the detail,” Cllr Blackburn said. “We’ve had bad experiences in the past when planning conditions don’t always work out as they were supposed to.

“How are we going to get that shift of people changing modes [of transport]? What efforts are being made to use park and ride? If the travel plan isn’t achieved – as plenty of people in the locality think it won’t – what are you going to do?”

Cllr Robert Finnigan (Morley Borough Independents) expressed similar concerns about parking on Churwell Hill. But he added: “I’m reassured there is sufficient funding to deal with issues of parking on residential roads on matchdays.”

Gillian MacLeod, the council’s Transport Development Services Manager, confirmed that residents’-only parking could be installed in areas that need it.

She also pointed to Leeds United hiring a new full-time member of staff to be a travel planning coordinator.

Ms MacLeod said the club was looking at “significant improvements” surrounding delivering travel information for supporters. She said there are also additional park and rise provision.

She said Leeds United would also put messages out to fans about “bad neighbour issues with people parking illegally around the ground”.

Cllr Katie Dye (Lab, Killingbeck and Seacroft) said she was reassured that the travel plan was not set in stone and would be flexible. “There needs to be constant review and if it isn’t working measures will be put in place,” she added.

Cllr Kayleigh Brooks (Lab, Little London and Woodhouse) said she was pleased many concerns from councillors over traffic and travel had been addressed.

Cllr Simon Seary (Con, Puydsey) said the council’s highways had alleviated his concerns and Cllr Ray Jones (Lab, Horsforth) added he was ‘very supportive’ of the plans.

Leeds United hope more fans will share cars to matches and use public transport or walk to the ground.

Last year WLD reported on Wortley residents and Leeds United fans attending a drop in event at The Dragon Hotel to explain what the Elland Road expansion proposals will mean for them.

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