Yorkshire get pavilion go-ahead

Yorkshire have received final planning approval for their new £17million Carnegie Pavilion at Headingley.

Construction of the five-storey building - a joint project with Leeds Metropolitan University - will begin in November.

The building will continue the significant redevelopment at the ground in recent years and boost Yorkshire’s long-term prospects of hosting international cricket.

The existing Wintershed end of the ground will be demolished to make way for the new structure, which will contain a media centre and hospitality facilities.

Yorkshire's Headingley Carnegie home will boast a state-of-the-art £17million pavilion in two years

Outside of major cricket events, they will be used as university lecture theatres and teaching rooms.

Yorkshire chief executive Stewart Regan said: “This is fantastic news for the club, its members, players and partners.

“This development will go a long way towards helping the club retain international cricket here in Yorkshire.

“The Carnegie Pavilion, when completed, will become the single most-viewed building in Yorkshire, seen by some 500million people on TV during international cricket events.

“We are confident it will become a landmark building for the city of Leeds.”

Leeds City councillors had been expected to approve the scheme last month but that was delayed until this week while plans were finalised.

Construction is expected to be completed by 2010.