'Critical' Parklife football pitches and sports hub next to Leeds United's Elland Road a step closer

Leeds City Council has now lodged an application to its own planning department for a £8m Parklife "community sports hub" at Fullerton Park, opposite the Whites stadium, after the idea was given the thumbs up by authority members last year.

Residents will have a say during a public consultation scheme, however.

-> Marcelo Bielsa gives Leeds United fitness update over missing duo ahead of Wigan clashDocuments show that the council plans to create four artificial grass football pitches, three of which would be floodlit and enclosed by metal 'ball-stop fencing' while the remaining pitch would be covered by an air dome.

Also included are plans for a pavilion building with changing rooms, a cafe, meeting rooms, a gym, GP surgery and pharmacy.

There would also be car parking and coach parking for use by LUFC, including a TV compound and a covered pedestrian walkway to Elland Road stadium.

It is hoped that the site could be completed by the start of the 2021 football season.

Angus Kinnear, Leeds United CEO, said: "Leeds United are delighted to be working with LCC and the Football Foundation's Parklife scheme to advance the Community Sports Hub at Fullerton Park to a formal planning application.

"The scheme is a critical pillar in our vision to bring our world famous Academy to the city centre to create a talent development pathway for inner city youth whilst simultaneously creating world class grass roots football and community facilities for Beeston and Holbeck."

-> Stuart Dallas casts verdict on Leeds United new boys Jean-Kevin Augustin and Ian PovedaCoun James Lewis, deputy leader and council executive board member for resources, said: “Once the proposals are ready to be moved to the next stage, a full public consultation will be undertaken with local people and representatives around the plans. Any plans which are formally submitted for approval, will also be subject to review as part of a full planning process.”

The FA, the Premier League, Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, Football Foundation and Sport England have developed the Parklife Football Hubs Programme to target "areas where pressures on the local game are greatest".

England manager Gareth Southgate said that "we will benefit for decades" when the first sites opened in October 2016.

Before influential councillors approved in principle last September to help fund the Fullerton Park scheme - which needs to be agreed fully next month as part of the Capital Programme - a council report said there were 11 existing all-weather, floodlit pitches across Leeds and that such facilities are an "indispensable part of modern football" provision.

The report said: "Physical activity and sport is the single most positive intervention for the delivery of health, mental and social well-being outcomes for individuals and communities."

Although LUFC's plans to create a new training site at the former Matthew Murray school are part of a separate application, the "development of the 'Parklife' scheme will harmoniously connect Leeds United with their new training facilities, Elland Road Stadium and the Fullerton Park development," it adds.

Leeds United approached the council with a proposal to put a roof over the Fullerton facility's nine-a-side pitch, says the document.

Planning papers show that the pitches would be open for youth team and "open ages" football.

"Key football development programmes will be delivered for women and girls, disability, social inclusion, the ageing population and children and young people," they say.

Originally a speedway and greyhound track, Fullerton Park is now used as a parking spot for Whites fans on match days.

Meanwhile, a separate council plan for three new floodlit pitches at Woodhall Playing Fields in Stanningley has been submitted.