An expansion of Leeds Utd’s Elland Road stadium looks set to proceed after being backed by council leaders.
The club, newly promoted to the Premier League, want to increase capacity in the ground to up to 56,500.
The project will be made possible with the sale of council land to the club owners, a move agreed by councillors at meeting on Wednesday.
Leeds City Council’s executive board was told the scheme would be part of wider regeneration work in the south of the city.
Deputy council leader Jonathan Pryor said building work on the ground could start within the next 12 months.
He said: “Premier League status brings huge global appeal.”
As part of a deal with the club, around 30 acres of land currently held by the council will be sold.
The expansion would make Elland Road one of the largest football stadiums in the country.
Councillors were told a planning application was being drawn up and a public consultation would be held.
Alan Lamb, leader of the city’s Conservative group, welcomed the expansion scheme at the meeting at Leeds Civic Hall.
He said: “Leeds should be a Premier League city in every single respect. There are a huge number of benefits available to the city.”
Councillors agreed to proceed with the land sale and enter into a formal agreement with Lowy Family Group, Leeds Utd’s development partner.
Leeds secured automatic promotion from the Championship with a victory over Stoke on Monday.
By: Don Mort, LDRS
