Have your say on Leeds's £4.5m cycle track and sports pavilion plans

Residents living near the site of a proposed state-of-the-art cycle track and sports pavilion in Leeds have been invited to have their say on the £4.5 million scheme before it is submitted to planners.
By The Newsroom
Published 4th Feb 2016, 07:40 BST
Updated 4th Feb 2016, 08:44 BST
An artist's impression of the new facility at the Bodington playing fieldsAn artist's impression of the new facility at the Bodington playing fields
An artist's impression of the new facility at the Bodington playing fields

The 1.6 kilometre cycle track is set to be installed at the University of Leeds playing fields near Adel, where the existing Bodington pavilion will be refurbished and used as the base for British Triathlon’s elite training centre.

A public consultation event will take place on February 9, where officials involved in the scheme will be able to talk about their plans, and an application for planning permission will be made in the near future.

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It is hoped that, if successful, the scheme would be complete by October and the 1.6 kilometre tarmac closed road cycle circuit would be available for use by staff, students and the wider community.

In a flyer sent out to residents, the university said the site was located between the A660 Otley Road and A6120 Ring Road, on the North Weetwood Playing Fields.

It said: “The refurbished pavilion building has been designed by local architects Farrell and Clark of Leeds, and is intended to create modern changing facilities, along with social and support accommodation for the University of Leeds.

“It also houses some training, treatment and office accommodation as a permanent base for British Triathlon within the region.

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“The proposed 1.6km closed road circuit cycle track, designed in conjunction with British Cycling following their guidelines. The track will loop around the sports pitches and make use of the undulations and site’s natural topography to provide interest.

“The proposed new track will continue to develop the interests of cyclists of all levels, both within the University and local community, following on from the massive success of both the ‘Tour de France’ and ‘Tour de Yorkshire’.”

Funding is on the verge of being agreed for the project, with UK Sport and British Cycling providing £1 million and the university itself said to be needing to clear “one last hurdle” before it puts up the remaining £3.5m.

But officials have warned that the scheme could be at risk if the October deadline is missed for the completion of the project as funding from British Cycling and UK Sport would then not be guaranteed.

The event will be held on February 9 between 4pm and 7pm at Weetwood Pavilion, with officials from the university, British Cycling and architects Farrell and Clark on hand to talk through the plans.

Related topics:ResidentsLeedsUniversity of Leeds