Fans weigh up pros and cons of redeveloped stadium

Leeds United intend to submit the club's formal planning application to Leeds City Council this summer for the redevelopment of Elland Road into a 53,000 capacity stadium.

The hybrid application is full and detailed for the West Stand whilst an outline for the North Stand at this stage.

The former is expected to open in 2028 with a rise from 8,000 to 17,750 seats and the latter by nearly five-thousand to 15,300 in 2030.

According to the architect the design will encourage positive behavioural change of spectators to arrive earlier and stay longer to reduce congestion and improve the match day experience.

A recent pre-application proposal for the alterations was backed by the Council's City Plans Panel with several caveats.

Concerns over car parking, litter, nuisance and flooding were raised.

Councillor Andrew Scopes, who is a trustee to the Leeds United Foundation and councillor Dan Cohen, a self-confessed Leeds United supporter, both recognised the major benefits of the project to the city as a whole but say local residents must be looked after.

With that in mind Leeds United have begun to hold a series of community roadshows where Lucinda Yeadon, a former councillor, will ask residents to feedback their views and concerns to the club. At Tuesday night's drop-in event at Holbeck Working Men's Club residents did just that.

"It looks really good and obviously we want Leeds United to do well," Neil told BBC Radio Leeds.

"I'm not actually a football supporter but I live in the area. On matchdays we do have to work around the traffic in terms of timing when we go out or go shopping.

"So anything which will encourage more people to use public transport or make more public pedestrian accessibility from the city centre, especially with the increase in numbers they are planning for the stadium, would be beneficial for the area. We want the club to be successful and I'm pleased its going up into the Premier League."

Another Beeston resident, who asked to remain anonymous, added: "I am very supportive of the redevelopment plans for the stadium.

"We are truly delighted to see such a well thought out and elegant design. It looks amazing and really reflects the stature of Leeds United."

However, they warned they would be "massively affected".

"Everything is going to change from the view to the day to day experience of living here," they added.

"It's a substantial rise in footfall, traffic and noise on matchday which will have an impact.

"Most importantly we'd like the club to engage more directly with those of us who live here.

"The ideal outcome would be a more consistent collaboration between the club and Leeds City Council especially when it comes to traffic management. In my view, as a current concept, its inadequate and the new one has not convinced me it will resolve the issues we face.

"One other improvement would for the club to provide access to public toilets before the match for example. This would help to reduce some of the anti social behaviour we are currently experiencing.

"I just hope those impacts can be managed thoughtfully really with the club and the City Council working closely with residents to find practical solutions and to maintain a good quality of life in our area here. Make us feel like we're part of the process."

The next plans panel meeting of council members is scheduled for 3 July when there will be a report on the consultation feedback.

You can hear local residents reacting to Leeds United's plans to redevelop the club's Elland Road stadium

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