City councillors back Leeds plan to build one of UK’s biggest stadiums | OneFootball

Leeds United have received the green light from senior councillors in the city to expand their Elland Road stadium.

The Whites, who secured their return to the Premier League on Easter Monday, are looking to increase the seating capacity of their home from 37, 645 to 56,500.

According to the BBC, the councillors have backed the proposal to expand Leeds’ current stadium at a meeting on Wednesday.

The proposed expansion would make Elland Road one of the biggest football stadiums in the UK.

It is said the redevelopment would be made possible by the sale of council land around the stadium to the club.

Leeds are set to submit a formal planning application outlining the scheme in the coming weeks, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Construction work on the West Stand of the stadium could start within the next year, with work on the North Stand forming the second phase of the redevelopment.

Leeds confirmed their return to the English top-flight on Easter Monday after playing two years in the Championship.

Daniel Farke’s men destroyed Stoke City 6-0 at Elland Road, with Joel Piroe the standout performer for the hosts with four goals to his name.

Junior Firpo and Wilfried Gnonto also earned their names on the scoresheet as Leeds confirmed their place in the top-flight next season.

The Yorkshire side also benefited from Burnley’s victory over Sheffield United early in the day, with both teams now guaranteed automatic promotion.

The Whites had made it to the play-offs final last season, only to suffer a 1-0 defeat to Southampton at Wembley following Adam Armstrong’s decisive first-half goal.

A top-two finish had appeared likely at one point, but a late collapse eventually saw Leicester City and Ipswich Town grabbing the two promotion spots.