I believe the latest thinking is to rebuild the Southstand before 2018, as it would need doing prior to the planned North Stand rebuild in 2019 (isnt the Aussie Test in 2020?).



This is easily achievable given the cash required is sat in the bank and planning permission has been obtained.



Having said that I think its pretty unlikely the club would build the new Southstand they have planning permission for. They were baffled that they could only get planning for the most basic of structures from LCC (one that is not capable of raising extra income in any way as alluded to above).



Its more likely the first step will be a return to planning to try and get a capacity bump to something like the original 8000 (not 6000), with some basic bar and catering facilities (rather than the approved empty shell).

I thought the whole north stand was getting re-done, I didn't realise the rugby side was staying as it is!

Quote Sal Paradise="Sal Paradise"I thought the whole north stand was getting re-done, I didn't realise the rugby side was staying as it is!'" That is the intention. Test cricket will continue without the existing shared stand although YCCC is looking at the options to use the lower level even if the top part is out of action. The next ashes Test is in 2019 - already confirmed - so the aim is for any new stand to be finished in time for that. Plans have been shown on the YCCC website. yorkshireccc.com/news/view/2740/ ... masterplan

Quote Sal Paradise="Sal Paradise"I thought the whole north stand was getting re-done, I didn't realise the rugby side was staying as it is!'" That is the intention. Test cricket will continue without the existing shared stand although YCCC is looking at the options to use the lower level even if the top part is out of action. The next ashes Test is in 2019 - already confirmed - so the aim is for any new stand to be finished in time for that. Plans have been shown on the YCCC website. yorkshireccc.com/news/view/2740/ ... masterplan

Further to all this, I think it's interesting to note that apart from those clubs that share with soccer clubs, all the new grounds have a lower capacity than those they replaced.

Another reason not to relocate away from Headingley.

Is it a top class stadium though?

The club is not going to relocate from Headingley we all know that ,but if we did where would an appropriate site be?

No, but how many "top class" stadiums are there in the UK, across all sports?



Single figures, I would venture:



Wembley

Murrayfield

Cardiff (Millenium)

Old Trafford

Olympic Park

Etihad

Emirates



Most of the rest are either old stadia starting to look a bit tired, or medium sized new-builds with all the character and appeal of a used tissue.



Headingley doesn't need to venture into that bracket to attract/maintain visitors. It's always interesting to hear overseas players who have experienced its atmosphere talk about it in glowing terms, even when their new homes are much more salubrious - Wayne Collins this week being a perfect example.

Leeds don't need a 20k+ stadium when was the last time the crowd was >20k

Plenty of brownfield land in Leeds, but it's primarily south of the river. Otherwise, you're heading further out into the suburbs where transport links are poorer.



An ideal site would probably be somewhere along the A1/M1 link in the Colton/Garforth/Swillington kind of area. Good road access, decent bus links - you're just reliant on finding a friendly farmer happy to sell you the land you'll need and a compliant planning committee.



The other problem is that if the rugby side did decide it wanted to move, what would the value be of the current site with the cricket ground in situ? I would venture next to nothing, given you couldn't really build on it.



So any funding for a new stadium would have to be borrowed, either from the bank or from Mr Caddick.

I wasn't too impressed with Murrayfield when I was there, didn't think the facilities were all that cracking



For me though it's a fine line between holding nostalgic views and the need for 'new'. For me, I love Headingley as it has been a major part of my life however the need for 'new' is screaming loud and clear

Would people be happy with safe standing(rail seats) in a redeveloped south stand?

For an elite club Headingley is a disgrace - given all the success the club has had that has not been reflected in investment in facilities.