[LU] Meanwhile, back at Elland Road

[Rick Duniec]

Council in Elland Road land move

18/4/08 Yorks Eve Post

COUNCIL bosses are ready to buy 10 acres around Leeds United's Elland Road 
ground as part of their plans for a leisure quarter.

Proposals for the development which could include an arena, casino, hotels 
and shops as well as a remodelled Elland Road were unveiled just over a year 
ago.

Leeds City Council already owns all but two parts of the site. Now the local 
authority has confirmed it is poised to begin negotiations potentially to 
buy them.
The first area is privately owned and comprises seven disused acres between 
Elland Road's Revie Stand and the M621.

The other is the matchday bus terminus off Lowfields Road, owned by West 
Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive.

Under a strategy approved by the council's executive board, the authority 
could try to agree a straight purchase or enter into what it describes as 
partnership agreements with the owners.

If negotiations become deadlocked, then the council says it will consider 
using compulsory purchase powers.
The local authority believes bringing together ownership of the sites would 
help it press ahead with the leisure quarter plans.

Council leader Coun Andrew Carter told the YEP: "We have to ensure we are in 
the best possible position to deliver a high quality scheme that also offers 
value for money to the taxpayer."

He stressed there were "no plans whatsoever" to buy Elland Road itself.

A former United board concluded a sale and leaseback deal on the ground with 
Manchester-based businessman Jacob Adler in 2004.
Current Leeds chairman Ken Bates has said, however, that he intends to buy 
it back "in the fullness of time".
Mr Bates announced proposals late last year for a redevelopment of the 
stadium that would tie in with the council's leisure quarter aspirations.
Most of the 30 or so acres of land which the authority owns around Elland 
Road is presently used for matchday car parking.