Green light for Headingley Stadium plans but funding still in question

PLANS for the £39m redevelopment of Headingley stadium have been given the go-ahead but how the project will be funded is still in question.

Leeds City Council approved the plans earlier but deferred a final decision to the authority’s chief planning officer.

However, it is yet to be confirmed how the work would be funded.

Yorkshire County Cricket Club and Leeds Rhinos had previously proposed funding the project by selling land for housing development.

The clubs have now dropped two residential housing planning applications after “complex planning matters” delayed the renovation scheme.

The plan had been to sell greenbelt land owned by Leeds Rhinos in Weetwood and Tingley to housing developers to raise money for the stadium.

A statement said: “The committee has approved the recommendation to defer and delegate the detail of the decision to the planning officers and both clubs look forward to finalising the details of the decision as soon as possible.”

It said the boards of both clubs “have worked tirelessly together for over two years” and are committed to continue to work together with the support of Leeds City Council to deliver the scheme which, once complete, will underpin Test Match Cricket at Headingley and upgrade the rugby side of the stadium.

Leeds Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington said: “We would like to thank Leeds City Council for their efforts during this planning application process. This was another crucial step for us. We believe a funding mechanism can be found to realise the vision for the stadium.”

Yorkshire CCC chief executive Mark Arthur added: “We remain confident that we can deliver the re-development for the stadium and look forward to working with partners to make this possible and retain our status in international cricket.”