Exactly what I thought. Is that really good enough for the future of Leeds? Bradford yes, Leeds no.

Its like the old south stand with a new shell and toilets.

It's so unremarkable that remarkable rhinos hasn't commented on it yet.

I actually already had. But it was negative so your point stands.
To me, it just looks like they've given the current stand a good going over with a Kärcher (other pressure washers are available), and replaced the roof.

Instead of attempting to futureproof it.'"

all they need to do now is get Jim Bowen to do the launch... "lets see what you could have got" .
But never mind here's your bus fare home.

Also it seems to be a copy of Warringtons stand.

Did anyone really expect anything else?

This is a club which in reality has no serious cash - it will struggle to fund this version.

It has to be done because the current stand will not pass another H&S inspection.

Isn't it the only club in Super League in profit?

Yes, I know profit does not always equate to cash, but we are not saddled with that much debt.

It is a massive compromise on the original plan and I am unsure whether the 'planning issues' are being used as a smokescreen to just scale things back because, financially, we can't or don't want to spend the money! The threat of HMRC wanting £2m in image rights back tax might be the issue! That is not a £10m scheme and looks more like a £7m scheme to me now!

The scaling back of corporate facilities is one thing but in reducing the height they have also clearly reduced the angle of the terracing below the maximum allowed for a standing terrace. I think this is a huge mistake, the new terrace should be the maximum angle allowed and should not be compromised on in any new stand build IMO. I think the majority of the reduction in capacity is because of the tapered eastern end of the stand, which I understand from a planning point of view, so I think that is probably the best capacity that can be achieved.

I am a little perturbed that Leeds seem to have given in to the planning officers for an easy ride and appear to be unwilling to put up a bit more of a fight to get the front and back heights up another couple of metres. The front has come down 4m and I think dropping it to 17.5m and keeping the terrace at as steep a pitch as possible would be worth running past the planning committee. I personally see less of a problem with the height than I do about the visual impact of the rear elevation of the stand on local residents. Light is not an issue because the sun is behind the South Stand, so no houses get any light or shadow issue with the stand, not matter if it was 19m. I think if they looked at at a softer materials pallet and cladding for the rear of the stand you might be able to compromise on the height. Maybe a mixture of Thermowood/Larch and Trespa timber claddings and some longer term tree-planting along the boundary wall would work.... the problem of course is, this costs money!

My suspicion is that it is all about the money, DLA are experienced at stadium development and I am sure they will have come up with similar ideas that have been pitched to the club and the planning officers... but, keeping the costs down is what is maybe driving the majority of the compromises!

Sorry, programme!

I think that this new 10 month programme is for a phased a build. Maybe Uncle Ken does not want anyone on his pitch, the Rhinos can't afford what Uncle Ken wants to charge or Uncle Gary does not want to got to Elland Road! Either way I am expecting a phased demolition and build of the current South Stand, maybe one half at a time, or possibly some sort of temporary stand arrangement. They could also get the lower half of the pre-cast terrace units up and in use and continue to build the upper-half and roof while the lower half is in use? You might get wet but them you would know how the western terrace away fans feel!

Fantastic input from IA as expected, cheers.

Its all a bit of a bummer...If the club cannot afford it then what can be said, thats life. Do you think there will be an opportunity to develop/extend the stand in the future IA?