New Wakefield Wildcats stadium development criticised by Leeds councillors

The development of a 214-acre greenbelt site for a new Wakefield Wildcats stadium near the Leeds-Wakefield border has been criticised by Rothwell councillors. Councillors Steve Smith and Stewart Golton (Liberal Democrat, Rothwell) have been fighting the plans for Newmarket Lane for months, arguing that the loss of green belt land would be disastrous for South Leeds communities like Oulton and Rothwell. Less than a fortnight ago, Wakefield Council councillors said that they were minded to approve an outline application by Yorkcourt Properties for a mixed development on land off Newmarket Lane, Stanley. They delegated the final decision to planning officers, subject to the removal of a direction by the Highways Agency concerning travel plans for the development and whether central government decides to call the application for a potential public inquiry. The development includes a community stadium with the Wildcats as anchor tenants alongside a games area, warehousing and distribution units, new businesses and a hotel. But members of Leeds Council's east plans panel voiced their opposition at a meeting at Leeds Civic Hall last Thursday - you can read the report considered by councillors here . The report said the council had 'strong objections' over: "... the scale and impact of the wider development on the green belt and transport network in Leeds district. It is recommended that a copy of these representations be sent to the Government Office and that a request is made for the Secretary of State to call-in the application for determination." Disputed site After the meeting, councillor Smith said he was backing the panel's decision to refer the issue to the Secretary of State on behalf of Leeds Council. The disputed site sits to the south of junction 30 of the M62, and Smith argued that if the development, which would include a 12,000-seat community stadium, goes ahead the green belt land separating north Wakefield and south Leeds will shrink dramatically. Smith has also raised concerns about the impact of the development on local roads. He fears that the area simply could not cope with the increased volume of traffic resulting from employees travelling to work and lorries making deliveries. He said: "In my view, nothing has really changed since we considered these plans in May. Our concerns as local councillors have not been addressed and therefore our objections are the same. It is now vital we take our case to the Secretary of State. "There are plenty of developers who would like to encroach on greenbelt in south Leeds – if this application is approved, I have no doubt it will be the first of many. I firmly believe our greenbelt is worth fighting for. "We also have to face the fact that the local road system could not cope with the volume of traffic created by the development. South Leeds residents should not have to bear the brunt of traffic problems caused by this ill-thought out scheme." Smith's comments have the backing of fellow Rothwell councillor and Leeds Liberal Democrat leader Stewart Golton. Thursday was the second time the proposals had been considered by the east plans panel, after members criticised the plans in May 2010 . Rugby league side the Wildcats need a new stadium to preserve their Super League status. Standard planning procedure requires the application to go through a 28-day period where the Secretary of State will decide whether the application should go to a public inquiry or be passed back to Wakefield Council to ratify the decision. What do you think? Have your say in the comments section below. Clarification: The above copy has been amended to clarify that Wakefield councillors have delegated final approval of the scheme to Wakefield council planning offciers, subject to the removal of a direction by the Highways Agency concerning travel plans for the development and whether central government decides to call the application for a potential public inquiry. The headline, introduction and third paragraph has been revised to reflect this.