Councillors on the City Plans Panel voted overwhelmingly to support Leeds United’s planning application to expand the capacity of its Elland Road stadium at their meeting yesterday (8 January 2026).
As we reported in December the plans will see the stadium capacity increased from 37,645 to 53,000 and sees a very large s106 agreement covering transport, jobs and community support worth over £1.75m.
Councillors were told the plans included a reduction in car travel to the stadium and increased use of public transport and park and ride schemes. But questions were raised over whether that was realistic.
Green Party councillor David Blackburn said:
“The aims of the travel plan are admirable. The devil is in the detail of delivering it.”
Conservative member Barry Anderson said he supported the plans but was concerned over the impact of more buses and coaches on the transport network. He said:
“We can’t magic up more road space.”
A report to the meeting said the club hoped to host Women’s World Cup matches in 2035. It said:
“Elland Road currently falls short of standards for major international tournaments.
“Redevelopment is essential to remain competitive with modern stadia in cities like Manchester and Liverpool. The upgraded stadium could host England Lionesses matches, inspiring regional participation. The expansion was set to bring Elland Road into line with UEFA Category 4 standards.”
It was hoped the expansion would boost women’s football in Leeds, and the number of female fans going to matches.
The report said: “The project aims to boost female match attendance, currently 10 per cent. with research suggesting improved facilities could increase this by 150 per cent.”
Plans panel members voted to grant planning permission with an 11-to-one majority. It means final approval is delegated to the city’s chief planning officer, subject to legal agreements and financial contributions towards transport improvements.
Cllr Andrew Scopes (Labour, Beeston & Holbeck) who is not a member of the City Plans Panel told South Leeds Life:
“I was pleased to see broad support from a cross-party panel for Leeds United’s stadium expansion plans – which are really exciting. We now need to make sure we hold the club to its commitments to our community and monitor the traffic and parking situation closely.”
Reacting to the decision, Leeds United Chairman Paraag Marathe said:
“We are delighted to have secured planning permission for the expansion of Elland Road Stadium. This is a historic day for Leeds United Football Club. As custodians of this great club, we are committed to its long-term success, and today’s decision supports our ambition to establish Leeds in the Premier League and continue progressing over the years to come. I would like to thank everyone involved in the project to date, for helping us reach this point.”
Leeds United Chief Business Officer Morrie Eisenberg added:
“From setting out our initial ambitions for Elland Road in late September 2024 to receiving planning approval today, the progress we have made is something we are immensely proud of. This has been a truly collective effort, with Leeds City Council, our local communities in Holbeck and Beeston, National Highways, our expert advisers and, most importantly, our supporters all pulling together to reach this milestone.
“The overwhelming level of support, with 98% of respondents backing the proposals, demonstrates how deeply this club and stadium matter to the city. Without our fans, this moment would not be possible. The expansion will allow us to welcome thousands more supporters through the gates, reduce the 26,000-strong Season Ticket Waiting List, and create a better matchday experience for everyone.
“The stadium expansion project is also the first step towards the wider regeneration of the Elland Road neighbourhood. Alongside our partners, we are committed to ensuring this development delivers lasting social and economic benefits, from job creation to increased investment, while continuing to grow our community impact through the Leeds United Foundation and organisations such as Holbeck Together.”
The club has said that enabling works will commence immediately with construction work to expand the West Stand starting at the end of this season. The ground will remain open throughout the works for Leeds United’s home matches.
This post was written by Dom Mort, Local Democracy Reporter with additional reporting by Jeremy Morton
Image: CGI of the expanded North and West Stands
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Some of the things listed here are not s.106 commitments, they were privately negotiated between Cllr Scopes and Leeds united on the condition that he withdrew his comment that parking was still going to be an issue. They’re legally unenforceable. He’s since admitted that he thinks parking is still an issue and that he withdrew his comment because of the ‘additional community funding’
The ‘donation’ to Holbeck Together is actually payment for a contract to hire office space. And in my view Leeds United should be voluntarily funding the foundation.