New homes could be built near football stadium

Up to 2,000 new homes could be built on land surrounding Leeds United's Elland Road stadium under proposals unveiled by the city's council.

Leeds City Council has launched a public consultation on the potential future use of about 30 acres of land around the stadium in Beeston.

Other potential future use for the land could include a community sports arena, hotel accommodation and workspaces, which would either be built instead of or alongside a new housing development.

The council's deputy leader Jonathan Pryor said the proposals "represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity of national significance".

The development would "deliver new homes, create jobs and provide major leisure opportunities, along with community and educational facilities that will benefit new and existing communities", he said.

"Delivering a new neighbourhood of this size and scale will provide a further boost to our city's ever-growing economy, accommodating the continuing demand for residential and commercial development across the city, at one of our most strategically significant gateway sites which has been earmarked for development for many years."

The land, which is currently used as a temporary park and ride site and for matchday car parking, was previously earmarked for redevelopment in 2007.

According to the proposals, the park and ride facility could be relocated, alongside also potentially allowing one or more multi-storey car parks to be built on the land "subject to demand".

The council also said it would consult with local residents on potential traffic issues and look to improve active transport routes to and from Elland Road.

The development would take up to 20 years to complete.

A council spokesperson said the plans were "completely independent" of those from Leeds United to expand Elland Road's capacity from 37,645 to 53,000.

The consultation will be run until 25 July.

The council spokesperson said any feedback would be considered before an outline plan for the land is finalised, which could take up to a year.

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