The Director of City Development submitted a report which provided an update regarding the Council’s Fullerton Park ‘Parklife’ scheme, together with the outcome of recent discussions with Leeds United Football Club (LUFC) around their preference to preserve the potential for a disposal of the former Matthew Murray High School site to LUFC, as part of the club’s ambition to relocate their training ground facilities closer to Elland Road and also as part of proposals regarding the expansion of the Elland Road stadium.
Responding to a Member’s enquiry, the Board received an update regarding the timeframe for this proposal, with it being acknowledged that this was in response to a request made by LUFC, as a result of the club’s updated aspirations regarding stadium expansion.
With regard to an enquiry regarding the Woodhall Playing Fields site as part of the Parklife submission process, Members received an update regarding the current position, with it being undertaken that a further report regarding the Parklife scheme would be submitted to the Board at the appropriate time.
RESOLVED –
(a) That the progress which has been made to date with regard to the Fullerton Parklife scheme, be noted;
(b) That the principle of the relocation of the Fullerton Parklife scheme to the former Matthew Murray High School site, in order to preserve the ambitions of Leeds United Football Club to achieve a 55,000 seater capacity stadium at Elland Road, be approved;
(c) That it be noted that the principle approval above is subject to LUFC meeting Leeds City Council’s additional design costs that it will incur as a consequence of this change, as outlined in paragraph 23 of the Resources section of the submitted report;
(d) That it be noted that the relocation proposals will provide the opportunity for an increased facility offer at Matthew Murray, including 4 full sized all-weather pitches and an increase space take up by the NHS;
(e) That it be noted that the Football Foundation (the main grant funder for Parklife) and the NHS are fully supportive of the relocation and the positive impact that this will have on the Parklife business case;
(f) That it be noted that the impact of the relocation of the Fullerton Parklife to Matthew Murray will result in a loss of the potential capital receipt to be realised from LUFC, however, it be noted that this will in part be offset from the realisation of a new capital receipt from Fullerton Park for land required as part of the Stadium expansion;
(g) That it be agreed for Council officers to work in partnership with Leeds United Football Club on a revised masterplan for the Elland Road Stadium and Fullerton Park area, and that agreement be given for those draft proposals to be submitted to a future Executive Board in readiness for public consultation;
(h) That it be noted that the officer responsible for this project and the key matters associated with it is the Head of Projects and Programmes in Asset Management and Regeneration.