Pitch perfect project is delivering champion facilities for local footballers

The full-size grass pitches are taking shape on council-owned land at Whinmoor Grange in east Leeds, close to the Arium horticultural nursery off Thorner Lane.

Designed to Sport England standards and complemented by dedicated parking facilities and attractive landscaping, they are intended to replace a pair of existing pitches at Smeaton Approach, also in east Leeds.

The land currently occupied by the Smeaton Approach pitches has been earmarked for use as a community hub – provisionally comprising a primary school, medical centre and convenience supermarket – serving a new residential development.

Subject to planning approval, the development will deliver up to 925 homes as part of the wider East Leeds Extension housing growth programme.

This in turn would help meet local housing needs, while the council’s re-provision – in a higher quality form – of the pitches required for the scheme means the east Leeds community as a whole will not be disadvantaged by a loss of sports facilities.

The Smeaton Approach pitches will remain available for use until the Whinmoor Grange site is ready.

Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture, said:

“We want people across Leeds to lead healthy, active lives and, to support that ambition, we’re determined to provide them with access to the very best sporting facilities.

“The new football pitches at Whinmoor Grange will be an excellent example of the results being delivered by this approach and the difference we are making to our communities.

“I was delighted to recently visit the site, meet the project team and see first-hand the progress already being made on a scheme that I’m sure will be a source of real local pride.”

Work at Whinmoor Grange is being carried out in two phases. The first, which began in July, involves the construction of the pitches themselves.

Phase two, programmed to start in 2025, includes the creation of a 50-space car park as well as new walking and cycling infrastructure.

It is hoped that, once the pitches have been seeded and allowed to mature, the site will be ready to begin hosting matches in September next year.

The scheme has been designed by NPS Leeds and is being delivered for the council by Cleveland Land Services.

The primary school planned for Smeaton Approach would also have its own pitch, available for public use outside of school hours.

Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for children and families, said:

“Schools play an important role in bringing communities together by giving parents and children alike an opportunity to build friendships and share experiences.

“It’s really pleasing, therefore, to see that a new primary school has been incorporated into the plans for the Smeaton Approach community hub.

“Making its pitch available for use by the public outside of school hours is also a positive idea, and one that I’m sure will be welcomed by local residents.”

Other recent boosts for Leeds’s health and fitness offer include the approval of plans for a new wellbeing hub to replace the ageing Fearnville Leisure Centre in Gipton.

Work is also expected to start next year on a project that will see land in Holbeck – once occupied by Matthew Murray High School – becoming home to three full-size artificial grass football pitches, two multi-use games areas and a two-storey building with facilities such as changing rooms and a cafe.

In addition, major improvements have recently been carried out at leisure centres in Armley, Morley, Wetherby and Rothwell.

ENDS