Councillor calls for assurances over Leeds United’s Matthew Murray plans

Leeds United plans to move the “bulk” of its Thorpe Arch training facilities to the site of Matthew Murray school over the next few years, councillors have been told.
Leeds United players training at the club's current Thorpe Arch base.Leeds United players training at the club's current Thorpe Arch base.
Leeds United players training at the club's current Thorpe Arch base.

The Leeds City Council meeting was how the lease on the club’s current training facility is expected to run out in 2027, and that the club intends to relocate its academy to the site in south Leeds by then.

However, leader of the authority’s Conservative group, Coun Andrew Carter, called for more detail as to what the site would be used for, adding that it was still unclear as to whether the first team would train there.

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The meeting follows an announcement during the summer that the council planned to sell off the former Matthew Murray School site in Belle Isle to the club, in order for it to build a “world class” training facility.

Leeds United players training at the club's current Thorpe Arch base.Leeds United players training at the club's current Thorpe Arch base.
Leeds United players training at the club's current Thorpe Arch base.

Deputy leader of Leeds City Council James Lewis (Lab) said: “It’s a scheme that’s been around for a while and there is more work to be done to bring forward a final proposal for the agreement of sale and planning permission.

“This sets out some of the work the club has been doing to try and improve relationships with people who live around the Elland Road area. This is work to improve those relationships and take them to a sustainable basis.

“There is still more work to be done to take it forward. We need to make sure the neighbours and surrounding communities are involved in this project as well.”

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Coun Carter asked for details on the club’s current Thorpe Arch training facility near Wetherby, which it currently leases.

He added: “What is the commitment by Leeds United in terms of what they are going to facilitate for the community in terms of this particular deal? I take it we will have a written agreement with Leeds United on that issue. Have we got it now or is that still subject to further discussion?”

Martin Farrington, the council’s director of city development, responded: “The lease of Thorpe Arch runs to about 2027, so when that expires, it will be up to Leeds United to renew the lease or not, but it is my understanding at the moment that they won’t renew that lease.”

Coun Carter responded: “So they could be, for eight years, still at Thorpe Arch – is that what we are saying? So this project is a long way away from beginning let alone completing.”

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Mr Farington said: “In terms of the next stages, we will allow Leeds United to undertake site investigations on the Matthew Murray site.

“Subject to them being satisfied with those site investigations, they will then need to bring forward a planning application, and we would give them a period of time to sort that.

“Then once they have the necessary consent, we will move forward to the third stage, which would be for them to develop the facilities. Bearing in mind this includes provision of grass pitches, it will take time for those to be ready.”

He added it was anticipated the new facility would be ready prior to the Thorpe Arch lease expiring.

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Coun Carter asked whether the intention was to move all training facilities to the Matthew Murray site once Thorpe Arch was vacated.

Mr Farington responded: “Ultimately that will be a matter for Leeds United, so they haven’t made that decision yet, and if they did come out of Thorpe Arch, then the land has a designation in planning, and it would be a matter for how it is used that would be brought forward by the current owner.”

Coun Carter continued: “Part of the original rationale for this move was that Leeds United would be better located for their training facilities in this area of Leeds, which I entirely agree on.

“Are we going to ensure that this board sees the agreement with Leeds United about precisely what facilities they are going to utilise on this site before there is final agreement?”

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James Rogers, the council’s Director of Communities and Environment, said: “Whilst the future of the lease at Thorpe Arch is, in the long term, uncertain, and a matter for Leeds United to determine, it is their clear intention to move the majority of the academy, currently at Thorpe Arch, into this site to make it more accessible to local children from Leeds and beyond.”

Chief Executive Tom Riordan and council leader Judith Blake each praised the work the current ownership of the club was doing with communities, with Mr Riordan adding: “We have seen quite a change in this administration compared to previous ones.”

Coun Carter responded: “I’m sure we have, but it seems to me that this has a long way to run before we know precisely where we are.

“I am somewhat fazed by the reference of Mr Rogers to the academy. My understanding was that Leeds United were going to train at Matthew Murray when the new facility was completed.

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“What you’re saying is that the academy is going to train at Matthew Murray, but what about the rest, particularly the first team?”

A council officer said: “I think that is a clarity we need from Leeds United in terms of their intentions and the whole structure looking forward. We can do that in the next part of the work and report that to members.

“But I know for certain that it is their intention to move the bulk of what currently is at Thorpe Arch to the Matthew Murray site.”