Elland Road expansion approved, Leeds target 53000

• Leeds City Council backed plans to raise capacity from 37,645 to about 53,000
• West Stand and North Stand expansion approved, with South Stand changes included
• Club says the stadium stays open during building work

Plans to redevelop Leeds United’s Elland Road stadium have been approved, with capacity set to rise by more than 15,000 seats.

Leeds City Council’s planning panel approved the application on Thursday. The project expands the West Stand and the North Stand and includes alterations to the South Stand. The club said the work will lift capacity from 37,645 to about 53,000, which would make Elland Road the seventh-largest football stadium in England.

Chairman Paraag Marathe said: “As custodians of this great club, we are committed to its long-term success.

“Today’s decision supports our ambition to establish Leeds in the Premier League and continue progressing over the years to come.”

Leeds said the regeneration responds to supporter demand, with 26,000 people currently on the waiting list for a season ticket. The club said the project will improve fan comfort, sightlines and matchday services inside and outside the stadium. Leeds also said the expanded ground would support bids to host matches in major international tournaments and generate about £29m a year for the regional economy.

The redevelopment is set to be the stadium’s biggest change since the East Stand was built in 1993 at a cost of £5.5m.

After the initial application was lodged in July, concerns were raised around transport, logistics and the impact on the nearby Heath estate. Leeds said work with the council addressed those points, and that 98% of respondents to a public consultation backed the proposals.

Councillor Jonathan Pryor, the council’s deputy leader, said he was “so pleased” with the decision and said it would “open the door” to more redevelopment around the stadium.

“It’s not just for the football fans, numerous as they may be; the amount of employment this will create is fantastic,” he said.

“I think the stadium itself is almost an anchor for why people are going to come there and why people are going to love this area.”

Chief business officer Morrie Eisenberg said the scale of backing showed “how deeply this club and stadium matter to the city”.

“Without our fans, this moment would not be possible,” he added.

The planning panel voted 11 in favour and one against. Leeds said Elland Road will remain open and operational throughout the expansion.