Headingley Stadium will become one of the city’s largest concert venues – but only for two occasions a year.
Members of Leeds City Council’s licensing sub-committee have come to an agreement on plans which would see the stadium given permission to host music concerts on the pitch, with a capacity of just under 10,000 spectators.
The panel had met last week to discuss the plans, for which the applicants wanted to host up to four concerts per year at Leeds Rhinos’ rugby ground.
But, following opposition from people living near the ground, an agreement could not be reached during the meeting and the panel said it would announce its decision in the coming days.
The council has now confirmed that permission has been granted, but only for two events each year – one evening and one afternoon event.
This is despite neither the applicants or opposing residents showing enthusiasm for the idea for two events per year when it was suggested by the panel during last week’s meeting.
At the request of West Yorkshire Police, no event would have more than 9,999 spectators and only four events per year would take place.
The licence would allow the planned Proms on the Pitch event, set for September 21, to take place at the ground.
During last week’s meeting, a representative from the applicants, Leeds Cricket, Football & Athletic Company Limited, said: “We believe we have provided information to contend topics raised.
“The PA system will not be used to amplify live music. The PA system will only be used for safety announcements.
“Concerns regarding daily disruption have been raised. This will not be the case, as there will only be four events per year.
“We reiterate our intention to work with residents and not antagonise them in any way.”
She added that noise disruption will be minimised, and that floodlights would be switched off at 11pm. A telephone line for complaints would also be manned during the events, from which information would be relayed to sound engineers working on the concerts.
A person who lives near the ground told the meeting: “The detail is about the noise which will affect us.
“I have no concerns regarding a Peppa Pig event on a Sunday afternoon, but if the licence is granted, it could be for any type of music.
“While not in the current plans, if a late night heavy metal concert finishing at 11pm would be legal in the licence requested, and that would be a concern for us. This, for residents would be devastating.”
He added that the rugby ground was open between stands, meaning noise was able to escape from the ground.
Following private discussions between members of the panel, the two parties were then offered a compromise agreement of two events per year on the same weekend, with one finishing late in the evening, and one finishing at 6pm.
Visit our dedicated Leeds News page for the biggest talking points from across the city.
LeedsLive has launched a WhatsApp group to keep you up to date with the latest news! Click here to join and follow the instructions on your phone. Your number won't be shared with anyone else in the group.
