Headingley Stadium concert venue decision put on hold as council awaits emergency powers

Leeds City Council has said no decision has yet been made on plans to increase live concert capacity at Headingley Stadium will be made.
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The rugby pitch, along with surrounding stands at the Emerald Headingley Stadium currently has permission to hold two events per year for up to 9,999 people.

However, a fresh application was submitted to licensing chiefs at Leeds City Council asking to increase this to four events per year, with no more than 19,999 spectators at each event.

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A licensing sub-committee meeting was set to meet last week to decide on whether to grant permission, but the meeting was postponed, along with any subsequent decision with it.

The opening of Headingley Stadium's new North Stand last year. Copyright: otherThe opening of Headingley Stadium's new North Stand last year. Copyright: other
The opening of Headingley Stadium's new North Stand last year. Copyright: other

The council said no decision has yet been made, as it is awaiting the outcome of Parliament’s coronavirus bill to see whether it will give local authorities emergency powers to make decisions remotely.

This also affects other scheduled Leeds City Council meetings including planning and licensing committee meetings.

A statement from the authority said: “The hearing has been adjourned due to coronavirus. We are currently looking at how we will address the hearings which are outstanding.

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“No decision has been made yet. We are aware that the government is also looking at options in terms of giving emergency powers to LAs in terms of decision making processes, which if or when announced, will be factored into how we proceed moving forward.”

The government’s coronavirus bill had its first reading in parliament and is expected to be signed into law by the end of the week. The authority said it hopes the bill will allow council meetings to take place remotely in order for decisions to be made, as this is currently not allowed by law.

The council statement added: “With regard to the Emergency Powers, nothing was specifically set out in the coronavirus Bill 2019/21. The Bill was introduced to the House of Commons and given its First Reading on Thursday 19 March 2020.

“We are anticipating that powers relating to remote meetings will be added to the bill by way of future amendments.”