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Call to make Leeds arena dreams come true

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Published Date:
16 March 2009
LEEDS council leader Andrew Carter is urging his fellow politicians to put aside their differences and unite in support of the city's concert arena dream.
Coun Carter (Con, Calverley and Farsley) is determined that the scheme will not be derailed by claims it could damage trade at Sheffield's existing arena.

And he wants local MPs and councillors of all parties to do everything they can to make sure Leeds gets the entertainment venue it deserves.

Coun Carter's rallying cry comes as regional development agency Yorkshire Forward prepares to decide whether to part-fund the proposed 12,500-seater arena.

He said: "I expect our partners to 'put their shoulders to the wheel'' and all declare their 100 per cent support for what we are trying to achieve.

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"They have to punch their weight and see off the ridiculous complaints from certain Sheffield Members of Parliament.

"We should also be seeing a lot more vocal support from the opposition Labour group on Leeds City Council.

"We all have to stand together to ensure the delivery of this high profile and hugely important project."

Responding to Coun Carter's comments, Labour group deputy leader Coun Richard Lewis (Pudsey), pictured above right, said: "We have always supported an arena for Leeds and continue to support the idea, especially if it delivers economic regeneration and quality jobs."

Some Sheffield MPs believe it would be inappropriate for Yorkshire Forward to pump public money into the council's scheme, as its brief is to improve the regional economy as a whole.

A bid for planning permission for the arena is due to be submitted by September, with a view to work starting next year at the Clay Pit Lane site chosen as its home.

Council chiefs have said some of the funds for the project will come from the £51m windfall they received from the sale of Leeds Bradford Airport.

They are also understood to be confident of securing the additional cash they need from Yorkshire Forward.

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  • Last Updated: 16 March 2009 8:33 AM
  • Source: EP Leeds First & County
  • Location: Leeds
 
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R.S.,

Leeds 16/03/2009 09:04:20
Everyone in Leeds should be standing behind our bid for the arena, it is essential to complete the cultural appeal of the city, and is currently missing out on so much as the only major city without one.

The Sheffield MPs who complain are being very childish in my opinion, and should prepare themselves for increased competition instead of trying to sabotage Leeds' future. Yorkshire Forward is about helping the whole of the region, but that is made up of helping numerous individual projects at individual locations within the region, thereby helping the region as a whole.
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M Carter,

Leeds 16/03/2009 19:34:17
I would be happy to support an arena if it was not consuming taxpayers' money - and there is no need for Yorkshire Forward or leeds City Council to be doing so.

In case no-one has noticed, the public finances of the UK are in an appalling state - everyone is a lot poorer now and Gordon Brown has ensured that out children will be paying his debt off for decades to come.

Leeds City Council is abusing its position of making objective judgements on infrastructure and decisions for the future of the city by making decisions purely for its own benefit. I hope Yorkshire Forward find something better to spend taxpayers money on, and let the private sector fund banity projects like this.
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Henry Harvey,

Chippenham 17/03/2009 12:58:25
An Arena in Leeds would not benefit only the City of Leeds, it would be of benefit to the whole region. For Leeds, with the third highest population in the country, to not have an Arena unlike every other city and town of any size is a disgrace. I was born and brought up in Leeds and love the place but I never cease to be dismayed by the unfortunate way Leeds is mistakenly perceived in other parts of the country. The image is entirely negative.It as seen just another medium sized Northern town,run down,out of date, dirty and with nothing much going for it. Seems to be not worth considering either as a place to visit for pleasure or in which to establish and run business. Believe me this is the highly mistaken but popular image of Leeds. Just watch 'Red Riding' on Channel 4 for example and see the negative image portrayed to millions of viewers- derelict buildings and permanent darkness. It's only a story, but presented as a 'factumentary' this sort of stuff is actually believed by those who have no reason to know better.
The value of an Arena cannot be measured simply against the number of direct jobs created and local enjoyment to local people. It would provide a continuous stream of attractive publicity for the city and is bound to be a great long term investment for Leeds and Yorkshire generally.
Leeds is a fantastic city and a great place to live. However it needs to be more aware of what goes on outside it- please wake up and think outside the box to the longer term before it is too late.
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