Headingley Stadium: Will plans tackle Kirkstall and Burley parking problems?

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Multi-million pound plans to regenerate Headingley Stadium could be approved by Leeds City Council next week – and a report suggests the development will have no additionhal impact on matchday parking which stretches as far as parts of Burley and Kirkstall.

The propsals, which form part of a masterplan to transform both rugby and cricket grounds, include a new rugby South Stand and a replacement for the existing joint stand which overlooks both sides of the complex.

It’s hoped that the development – at the home of Yorkshire County Cricket, Leeds Rhinos Rugby League club and Yorkshire Carnegie Rugby Union team – will preserve the ground’s status as a venue for international sport.

A planning officer’s report to be considered by councillors at next Thursday’s City Plans Panel meeting recommends the proposals are approved in principle. The final decision will be made by the secretary of state after he called in the application.

On the issue of matchday parking, which affects Burley and Kirkstall, as well as Headingley, the report concludes:

“Overall it is considered that the development will not result in any significant issues with highway safety or parking location.”

The report says consideration has been given to the impact the development will have on highway safety and parking provision locally, although there is no specific mention of the issues affecting Burley and Kirkstall. It adds:

“The applicant has proposed measures within the Transport Statement and Event and Travel Plan for the stadium to promote public transport, walking and cycling to reduce car use, which will help to mitigate against the loss of [approximately60 parking] spaces and any potential impact on surrounding streets.

“These include clear information for supporters on the public transport options, working with train operating companies to provide greater frequency and capacity of trains on match days, shuttle bus services to and from the stadium on match days, continuing the management and restriction of on-street parking on match days, continued provision for coach parking for away supporters and management of surrounding pedestrian routes to ensure safe access for supporters accessing the stadium on foot and to minimise disruption to local residents.”

The report says that that the design and height of the new stands are acceptable. It dresses the economic importance of having events like Test Cricket continuing at Headingley.

Separate applications to build houses on club-owned green belt land in Tingley and Weetwood – which would help fund the development – have been withdrawn.

In November The Dispatch featured calls for St Ann’s Lane in Burley to be made one way – and how traffic problems had been exacerbated by cars parking in the area on matchdays.

The plans, which are due to be considered at a meeting next Thursday, can be viewed in full here.

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