Places features

A site on Claypit Lane is to be the home of the city's new arena. Wednesday 5 November 2008 saw senior councillors announce the 5.1 acre site as the preferred location for the multi-million pound entertainment venue. The site is part-owned by Leeds Metropolitan University and the process to complete its purchase will now begin.
 
Councillors took the view that the city centre location has many benefits, including the boost that it will give to the surrounding area and the fact it can take advantage of existing public transport services. Council owned land at Elland Road will be the reserve option.  

Councillors have also agreed to revise the original proposals for the arena's construction. It had been intended to select a developer and site through a process known as a 'developer competition' and commercial bids from interested companies were invited. 

However, it was decided not to progress with this option. Councillors felt that the two developers invited to bid had produced plans that weren't affordable. The public subsidy required to deliver both bids was also significantly higher than if the council was to develop the arena itself. The anticipated £30m cost will be met by the council and the regional development agency, Yorkshire Forward. The council will own the land and the building with the arena being managed by chosen operator, SMG Europe.
 
The new arena will be a 12,500 seat entertainment venue which will accommodate a range of entertainment and sporting events. It has been estimated that up to an extra £28m will be contributed each year to the local economy as visitors coming to the arena take part in other activities and spend money while they are in the city. Once completed, it is expected the arena will create over 300 new jobs.

Some critics have suggested that £30m is a small sum to set aside for such a project, while others have said that the chosen site isn't ideal and is too close to the city centre and will cause traffic problems. What are your thoughts on the new arena?...

Your comments:

Great that the arena is going to be centrally located but are the council relying on people travelling in by public transport? I worry that there may be big problems with parking. Sheffield Arena has a big overspill area for full capacity concerts. Will Leeds be able to accommodate all the cars? People mostly want to travel to the venue by car especially if it is a weekday event and they have to get moving after work. Lets hope all this can be taken into account.
Stella Baker, Moortown

This location would be fine if everyone arrives on public transport, but does the council really expect this? Look at Sheffield Arena, how many people arrive there using public transport? With 12,500 people arriving for concerts etc, it's going to be utter chaos. There is no way that the local area can cope with all the extra traffic this will bring in. Most people from outside Leeds will be travelling in by car.  Does the council expect them to park miles away and get public transport to the venue? Also think of after an event, with 12,500 people wanting to get away from the area - chaos again! You will also be removing one of the remaining large car parks, which is full every day. Where will these cars park?
Steve Clark