Approval set to be a blur as Leeds council chiefs all go hand in hand to back £23.9m new Parklife sports hubs

Senior councillors in Leeds are set to give a final green light next week to a £23.9million investment in two new sports hubs in the city.

At the meeting of the council’s executive board at Civic Hall on Wednesday 16 July, councillors are expected to approve work starting on new sports pitches and supporting pavilion facilities at Woodhall in Calverley and Green Park in Temple Newsam.

The plans for the sites have been developed by Leeds City Council in partnership with the Football Foundation as part of their national Parklife (Sports Hubs) programme, which aims to increase the number of third generation artificial grass pitches in the country.  

At each site, three new full-sized pitches with floodlighting will be created for football and rugby use along with other play areas, biodiversity habitats, landscaping and parking. The Green Park site will also include a large multi-use hard court space that can be used for accessible or wheelchair sports or those sports needing a hard surface such as hockey or basketball. It will also offer walking and running routes in a park setting to encourage active lifestyles.

Both sites will also feature a new sports pavilion building providing a café and meeting space together with ancillary features such as toilets and changing rooms, including Changing Places toilet facilities.

The plans have been refined and developed following consultation with the public, local sports clubs, disability groups and local councillors, with changes made to accommodate feedback received.

The new hubs are to be funded by Leeds City Council, the Football Foundation, Section 106 developer contributions and private sector funding. Proposals are also being developed for a possible third site at the former Matthew Murray High School in Holbeck, with further details on those plans to follow.

If approved, work would begin at Woodhall in August to be completed in a year with the new facilities open the end of August 2026. At Green Park initial ecological works would begin in August before construction starting in October, with the new pitches ready for play in August 2026 and the new sports pavilion opening the following month.

Once opened the hubs will be managed by the National Football Trust, a not-for-profit organisation, with all surplus income generated to be reinvested in outdoor sports facilities across Leeds.

Leeds City Council executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture Councillor Salma Arif said:

“These new facilities look fantastic and this project represents a significant investment in helping encourage people of all ages to live active and healthy lifestyles. Not only will they offer superb new sports facilities, these hubs will become focal points for entire communities to make use of and enjoy, so we look forward to seeing them created and open next year. We are delighted to be working with the Football Foundation, National Football Trust and all partners and stakeholders in making this wonderful project a reality.”

To see the report being considered by the executive board visit Council and democracy (agenda item 6).

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact:

Leeds City Council communications and marketing,

Email: communicationsteam@leeds.gov.uk

Tel: 0113 378 6007