Stadium works and commercial development set for approval

Plans for the redevelopment of Wakefield Trinity’s Belle Vue ground look set to get the go-ahead later this week. An application for a major commercial development that will help fund the stadium scheme is also recommended for approval.Wakefield Trinity submitted an application for the redevelopment of Belle Vue to Wakefield Council last year.The plans include the construction of a new 2,500-seat East Stand to include a large hospitality and conferencing facility, and the renovation of the North Stand terracing to upgrade spectator amenities and increase capacity.The existing ‘Rollin Shack’ will be upgraded to provide a multi-functional leisure space including a café and club retail facility, and a landscaped car park and FanZone created behind the new East Stand.The plans also include the installation of a 4G pitch suitable for all weather use by both club and the community, and an upgrade of the existing floodlights to latest LED technology.The application will go before the council’s planning committee on 16 December and is recommended for approval, subject to conditions and the signing of a legal agreement, in an officer’s report prepared for the meeting.A linked application from Newmarket Lane Ltd, a joint venture between property developers HBD and Yorkcourt, for a development of two large storage and distribution units will also be considered at the meeting.Planning permission is sought for warehouse units measuring approximately 206,000 sq ft and 197,000 sq ft on a site of Newmarket Lane.The scheme also includes ancillary offices, lorry and car parking, hard-standing, yard, drainage, landscaping and associated infrastructure and engineering works and a new pedestrian and cycle route from the B6135 to the Trans Pennine Trail.It has been estimated that the development would generate 481 jobs.This development would generate finance to support works at Belle Vue, with the financial contribution to be secured via a Section 106 obligation.This application is also recommended for approval, subject to conditions and the securing of the Section 106 agreement, in the planning officer’s report.The site had previously been earmarked for the development of a new stadium for the rugby club under the original outline application.