Leeds council buys seven more acres next to Elland Road

The council wants to develop more than 40 acres of land around the Leeds United ground which is currently a match-day car park.

The council says investment in the site, which includes land close to the M621 and the Leeds to London rail line, has “significant potential” to regenerate the surrounding communities of Beeston and Holbeck.

The new purchase, on Lowfields Road behind the North Stand, means the council now owns all the land in the area, except the Leeds United ground itself. It is likely to be used for extra match day car parking in the short term.

Coun Richard Lewis, executive member with responsibility for city development, said: “This area of land is a landmark site for Leeds and it is great that after working for nearly 25 years to acquire it, we have successfully completed the task.

“The acquisition will give the council greater control to deliver the comprehensive redevelopment of land around Elland Road football stadium and it complements Leeds United’s existing East Stand redevelopment proposals.

“We will continue to keep the public informed about the progress of our plans for Elland Road to achieve our ambition to make the site an important contributor to the regeneration of the local community and the Leeds economy.”

The council previously sold the former greyhound stadium on Elland Road to West Yorkshire Police Authority, which will develop its new Divisional Headquarters there.