Headingley Stadium cancer centre plans approved

Plans for a new cancer treatment centre at Headingley Stadium have been approved by Leeds City Council.

Vacant classrooms previously used by Leeds Beckett University will be converted for services such as radiotherapy and oncology imaging.

Located on the ground, first and second floors at the stadium, which is home to Leeds Rhinos and Leeds Tykes, the Icon Cancer Centre will also offer CT scanning.

A planning report said the centre would "bring vital treatment closer" for people living across Leeds and Yorkshire.

It added: "Investment in the facility will not only improve outcomes for patients but reinforce Leeds' position at the forefront of medical advancement in the north."

The stadium is close to public transport links including Headingley and Burley Park railway stations, according to the report.

"By increasing access to cancer treatment in a highly accessible location, the proposal would deliver clear social and public health benefits," it said.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the scheme was recommended for approval by council officers.

They concluded the proposal would not result in external alterations so would not impact the character or appearance of the building.

When the project was first announced in March, Icon chief executive Mark Middleton said: "There are people often waiting months to access radiotherapy. We want to be part of the solution."

According to the Leeds Cancer Programme about 27,000 people in Leeds are living with cancer or receiving aftercare, with more than 4,100 new diagnoses each year.

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