Plans submitted for Harrogate Town’s new training ground

Council to review £2.75m application to improve sporting facilities

Author: Kathy Green and Don Mort, LDRS reporter Published 12th Dec 2025
Last updated 12th Dec 2025

Harrogate Town AFC's plans to establish a £2.75m training ground at Wetherby Racecourse will be reviewed by Leeds City Council, following the submission of a formal planning application.

First announced in July 2025, the League Two club’s proposal includes training pitches, a single-storey clubhouse, changing rooms, a gym, offices, and a dining area. Facilities will feature a grass pitch, a 3G artificial surface, and spaces designed to support both professional football operations and community use.

A design report by architectural firm Bowman Riley said the project aligns to Football Association and Sport England standards, emphasising its potential positive impact on local football, schools, grassroots sports, and the broader community.

“The proposed training ground represents a significant opportunity to deliver a high-quality sporting facility that will benefit Harrogate Town AFC, grassroots football, schools, and the wider community,” the report said.

Wetherby’s sporting profile

The new facility is expected to create jobs and further establish Wetherby as a destination for professional-standard sport, assisting Harrogate Town alongside initiatives such as its Community Foundation.

The Foundation's focus is to motivate, educate, and inspire people to improve their quality of life, using football to build community ties. The new training ground would provide opportunities for coaching, facility management, and support roles.

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