April 2025 Good News Round-Up

Elland Road Expansion

Following Leeds United's promotion to the Premier League, senior councillors have backed a major regeneration vision which would increase the Elland Road stadium capacity by nearly 20,000 seats to 56,500. Plans include the transformation of 30 acres of council-owned land in the wider area, further catalysing major regeneration taking place in south Leeds. The club is expected to submit a formal planning application in the coming weeks.

White Rose Agreement

Yorkshire's three Metro Mayors; Tracy Brabin (West Yorkshire), Oliver Coppard (South Yorkshire) and David Skaith (York & North Yorkshire), have united under a new White Rose Agreement to champion Yorkshire, focus on good growth and improve transport connectivity. Lord Blunkett has been appointed to review rail connectivity in Yorkshire.

Step forward for major cultural projects

The government has confirmed £15m of funding to support plans to create a new British Library North at Temple Works as well as a National Poetry Centre in Leeds. The projects will bring economic and social benefits to Leeds and the North, as well as representing major regeneration opportunities.

Beryl Bikes

265 new bikes have been introduced to the Leeds Beryl Bikes fleet as part of a major expansion in the city. The new e-bike model offers improved ride quality and increased range, and 10 new docking stations have been installed across the city.

Delivering innovation and growth across the city

City leaders have announced that plans for the Leeds Innovation Village, which includes the redevelopment of the Old Medical School on the Leeds General Infirmary site into a cutting-edge HealthTech innovation hub, will still go ahead. This is in response to the government's announcement of delays to the development of the new hospital at Leeds General Infirmary.

Progress in Connecting Leeds

Major milestones in delivering our Connecting Leeds Transport Strategy including highways improvements such as Armley Gyratory and the East Leeds Orbital Route, the launch of Vision Zero to eliminate road fatalities, and improvements to Leeds Station where footfall so far this year has been as busy as pre-Covid levels, are outlined in a recent report to the council's Executive Board.

National Wealth Fund driving national growth from Leeds

In an interview with the Yorkshire Evening Post, the National Wealth Fund's Chief People Officer Patricia Galloway highlights the impact that it is having so far, and why setting up in Leeds has helped the NWF to hit the ground running.