WHAT DO YOU THINK? Click here to send us an email on your thoughts on the location choice.



I think this is a perfect venue as it is so close to rail and bus transport.
I am tired of having to travel hours to Sheffield and Manchester to average concert venues, when Leeds should have a first class venue of it's own.

I would love to get involved.

Excellent news,

Dave Brown
Menston

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I think, like most people in the city, that Leeds urgently needs an arena and that such a project would greatly boost the economy of the city. However I think it should be sited at Elland Road on land the council already owns.

There is scope to create a rail stop there, as was proposed many many years ago and access to the motorways could be improved to open up the whole area for development. The Claypit Lane site is only going to add to problems of traffic in and around the city centre, which are already horrendous.

The council is planning to spend vast amounts of money on the city centre but it is time it thought of developing other areas of the city. The arena could be a catalyst to attract other projects to this area and with a rail link and better public transport could be a godsend.

Sue Lynch

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Doubly good news on the arena, both the best location option selected to have the arena near the heart of the city centre, and for the council to develop it themselves, which will give best value for money cutting out the middle men.

The council developing the arena will also provide a much stronger drive to push the project through to completion compared to profit led developers.

Rob S , Leeds

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Desp(ite the fact that Leeds urgently needs a big indoor arena I feel the site proposed by the City Council is not the right one. It seems to be too small for the size of what is proposed.

Another thing is this arena going to be a multi purpose building so that sports like basketball, ice hockey, and even world class boxing (like in the arena in Manchester). Plus big ice shows, which are certainly profitable and popular

Stan Dawson Leeds 17

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Can see where the council are coming from by wanting to site the arena in town.
I feel that the Elland Road site is a bit out on a limb and would require people if not in cars to then travel up to the arena on public transport after probably arriving in the city centre.

I remember in the late 90s when it was mentioned about redeveloping the football ground there was a lot of oppositition by local residents who were concerned by the extra traffic and people.

People who are coming into the city can make use of the other entertainment venus while in town like bars and restaurants.

Only issue I can see is the parking but then again there is the massive multi-storey over the inner ring road that would probably be quite empty anyway in an evening after office staff and shoppers have gone home.

It's long over due after Manchester across the pennines having it's own for over thirteen years and now also Liverpool sporting it's own of similar capacity as the one planned for leeds.

Nigel

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Fantastic decision, at last some joined up thinking from LCC. You only have to look at the difference between Sheffield's arena and Manchester's. One is in a fantastic postion to get access from the motorway, therefore you have no interest in going into the city centre and spending money on hotels etc. The other is city centre, walking distance. good accessibility on foot, with plenty of ready made amenties.

Andy R

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We desperately need a venue, like Sheffield etc. Clay Pit Lane, no way! Imagine what Sheepscar will be like! Somewhere with better transport links, like Elland Road.

Mrs L Manning
Roundhay Resident

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I think it is a great move by the council to have the arena on Clay Pit Lane. The private developers are only moaning because they've missed out on a few more millions to add to their bank balances. This way the council - so that means we - actually own the site and the building. Who knows one day we might even make a profit out of it?

Joe L
Leeds

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Well done the council!! The arena is best in a central location. The Sweet st and Elland road sites both have a good reason for wanting the arena but are a bit far out of town. I have been to the MEN in Manchester a few times and its central location makes it easy to get to and good for going to the pub after.

Louie

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Well done Leeds City Council! A fantastic decision on the choice of location for the new Leeds arena. Sweet Street and Elland Road are both well outside the city centre, an uncomfortable walk down deserted streets, poorly served by public transport. The Brunswick site is well located, right in the bustle of the city centre with plentiful facilities all around; much like the MEN arena in Manchester. The council get a lot of stick for one thing and another, but I think they've got it spot on this time.

Phil Miass
Harehills

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