Floodlight plans for Headingley given council approval

The West Yorkshire venue received the news in the wake of a Council meeting on yesterday afternoon.

Once erected, the lights will be in operation at Yorkshire’s ground up to 20 times a season.

Yorkshire County Cricket Club chief executive Mark Arthur said it was part of a long-term plan for the venue:

He said: “We want to create a stadium that is amongst finest in the world and enable Yorkshire to continue to stage major international fixtures over the long-term.

“To be granted planning permission for the installation of permanent floodlights is a major step forward for the club.

“It will also enable us to promote day/night fixtures, which will become an integral part of of our limited overs schedule in the various domestic competitions.”

Mr Arthur added his county had received a £700,000 grant from the England and Wales Cricket Board to go towards the overall cost of £1.8million.

Headingley has undergone extensive redevelopment work over recent years with the building of a new pavilion and corporate facility.

But it has missed out on an Ashes Test for the second series running with the 2015 series not passing through Leeds.