Council safeguards future of greenspace and sports fields in west Leeds

The future of an important area of amenity greenspace in west Leeds has been secured by Leeds City Council.

Following long and detailed negotiations, the council has acquired football pitches and associated recreational land at Woodhall Playing Fields on Woodhall Lane in Pudsey from the University of Bradford. By taking the site into its ownership, the council have safeguarded the future of the strategic area of greenspace and protected it from unwanted development.

The future of football pitch provision has also been secured and, as the site adjoins Woodhall Lake Leeds Nature Area which is already managed by the council, the deal creates a significant sport and outdoor recreation opportunity for use by the local community. The council is also currently negotiating further woodland and greenspace acquisitions in the vicinity.

The council will now manage the playing field site, which provides six pitches and changing rooms and car parking.

As part of the arrangement, the University of Bradford will continue to be able to use the pitches on Wednesday afternoons for student matches, as has long been tradition. The rest of the time they will be available for community use through the Leeds Parks and Countryside service to meet the significant demand for pitches in the west of the city.

Leeds City Council executive member for regeneration, transport and planning Councillor Richard Lewis said:

“After long and complex negotiations, getting this deal done was important to secure the future of this area of vital greenspace. Not only does it offer more potential use for sports teams across west Leeds, where we know sports pitches are limited, it also safeguards the site from unwelcome development.

“As the site is next to Woodhall Lake, under our guardianship the whole area will now be managed in a more joined-up way, ensuring that this important ‘green lung’ between Leeds and Bradford has been safeguarded for the future.”