Council officials are to investigate the idea as part of wider plans for a multi-million pound leisure development on over 40 acres of land around the football ground in Beeston.

The city council, the major landowner in the area, earlier this year produced a masterplan that set out a range of possible schemes including an entertainment arena, casino, hotel, health club, police headquarters, cafes, bars and small shops and parking for about 2,700 cars.

The East Coast main railway line borders the site and at various times over the past 20 years the idea of providing a station at Elland Road has been discussed.

Now councillors are hoping the major developments proposed for the area could make a rail halt viable. Coun Keith Wakefield, the council's Labour group leader, told the council's Executive Board that in consultations with Beeston residents about the masterplan, transport issues were coming up "time and time again."

He said the council needed to consider all proposals to keep traffic to a minimum and that should include a rail halt.

Coun Andrew Carter, council leader, said: "All members would like to see a halt but it would be dependent on the developments that take place and the value of those developments.

"In the past the line has not had sufficient capacity and there has been no money to build the facility.

"However, we have to fight for it because it would benefit the city in general."

A report to the board said the most striking feedback to come from a consultation held earlier this year was the need to tackle the current parking and transport problems on match days.

It said some residents feared comprehensive development of the area could add to the congestion.

The board approved an informal planning statement to help guide future development in Elland Road and agreed officers should carry out investigations into the idea of providing a park and ride scheme in the area.

david.marsh@ypn.co.uk