Sponsored by
Councillors in Leeds Arena pledge
Plans to build an £80m arena in Leeds remain firmly on track despite a major review of government spending, senior councillors have stressed.
Proposals for the 12,500-seater city centre arena – a key regeneration project – are at an advanced stage with an operator and contractor already appointed and outline planning consent granted.
* Click here to watch latest YEP news and sport video reports.
A spending review announced by the new Tory-Lib Dem coalition government sparked fears that the flagship project could be in jeopardy.
Whitehall is contributing 9.9m towards the scheme, a decision signed off by the previous government last December.
* Click here to view the YEP picture galleries of Leeds Nostalgia.
While the spending review is centred on decisions taken by Labour ministers since January 1 this year, concerns grew after a Department for Business, Innovation and Skills spokesman, when asked if the Government remained committed to the arena, said: "I cannot give an answer either way."
* Click here for latest YEP showbiz news.
But today the council's Labour group, which now has 48 of the authority's 99 seats and has struck an agreement with the two Greens to take control from May 27, reaffirmed its commitment to the arena scheme.
* Click here for latest YEP music interviews and gig reviews.
Coun Keith Wakefield, Labour group leader, left, said: "We are fully committed to the arena and have been for a very long time. It is something that the city very much needs. It is a piece of our cultural and regeneration jigsaw that has been missing for a very long time."
And Coun Andrew Carter, council leader, dismissed any fears surrounding the scheme's future. He said: "We have got the money and this (review) is about funding not committed. I am extremely confident where the arena is concerned.
"We were awarded 9.9m and 8.1m has already been handed over and there is a contractual obligation for the remaining balance to be provided."
Proposals for a new 245m trolleybus network in Leeds and plans for a long-awaited southern entrance to Leeds City railway station do form part of the review. They were given the green light just weeks before the election was called.
Coun Wakefield added it was crucial Leeds received Government support to improve its transport infrastructure. He said: "These schemes are absolutely vital to the city's economy, jobs growth and future prosperity. We cannot afford to miss out on these opportunities."
Email to a friend
Print this page- Simon Grayson sacked: Host of names linked with Leeds United job UPDATED
- January 2012 Premier League and Championship transfer round up
- Leeds United: We wouldn’t have got Alan Smith for £2,500 a week! - Grayson UPDATED
- Leeds United: Celtic star set for Whites loan move?
- Web poll: Who should be Leeds United’s next manager? VOTE HERE
- Simon Grayson sacked: Host of names linked with Leeds United job UPDATED
- Leeds United: A fresh start is just what we need - Lorimer
- Web poll: Who should be Leeds United’s next manager? VOTE HERE
- Are you satisfied with Leeds United’s dealings in the January transfer window? VOTE HERE
- Match report: Leeds United v Birmingham City
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Leeds
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: -1 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -1 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: West
