Leeds United are feeling the heat after back-to-back Premier League defeats. However, the 49ers are pushing ahead with their dream of turning the Whites into a £1bn club in 2030. Another major step towards that goal is set to take place over the next week.
Earlier in the season, a leaked document outlined the 49ers’ plans for Leeds, which has at its centre the dream of the club’s valuation breaching the £1bn by 2030.
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The 49ers have several plans to improve the squad, increase revenues, and expand Elland Road, but all this can only be achieved if Leeds become an established Premier League club.
Survival this season will be huge, but the owners are pressing ahead with their plans to supercharge the club in the coming years. A key step towards that dream will be undertaken over the next week.
The city council will discuss Leeds United’s stadium expansion plans at the heart of their £1bn dream
Leeds submitted an application for the expansion of Elland Road to the Leeds City Council in July, following consultation with all stakeholders, including supporters.
The application features a comprehensive proposal for the redevelopment of the West Stand, as well as an outline plan for the North Stand.
If approved, the expansion would increase the stadium’s capacity to around 53,000, enabling the club to better meet ticket demands and rank among the largest venues in the UK.
This hybrid application requests full planning permission for the John Charles Stand redevelopment and outline approval for improvements to the Don Revie Stand.
According to Insider Media, the city councillors will meet next week to discuss the proposal from Leeds for the expansion of the iconic stadium.
Members will be invited to acknowledge the progress achieved to date and provide feedback on the plans, with particular emphasis on outstanding issues concerning transport impact, parking, and travel planning.
Construction of the John Charles Stand will be completed first, with its designs developed in greater detail. Beyond spectator seating, the new stand will feature changing rooms, staff facilities, media areas, retail and ticketing spaces, a museum, a control room, and hospitality areas.
The 49ers have already taken major steps towards Elland Road expansion
The Leeds owners have been seeking outside investment to bankroll the stadium expansion plans, and have already achieved some success.
IDC Network, a private equity firm headquartered in the United States, announced in September that they have invested in Leeds via the 49ers’ enterprise.
The fresh investment allowed the club to move forward with their plans to expand Elland Road, and they have already brought in new architects to work on the project.
Initially, KSS Design Group were appointed to carry out the work, having previously worked on the main stand redevelopment at Liverpool’s Anfield Stadium.
However, after submitting the planning permission, the 49ers re-tendered the project, bringing in a new firm, BDP, last month.
Expanding the stadium will help the owners to further drive up revenues, with the club keen to breach the £300m mark in the coming years.
Once the Leeds council approves the expansion proposal, the club can get to work on upgrading the iconic stadium for a modern Leeds United.
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