Metro's plans for new rail stations at Kirkstall and Apperley Bridge have moved a step closer.

Leeds City Council has given planning consent for Commercial Estates Group (CEG) to redevelop the 56-acre former Kirkstall Forge site in Leeds.

CEG has committed £4 million to the creation of a new railway station at the development where it is building modern homes, offices, leisure facilities, a hotel, retail, community facilities, bars and restaurants.

Kirkstall Forge and Apperley Bridge stations will be built on the busiest stretch of the Airedale line between Leeds and Shipley but Wharfedale line trains would be able to call at the Kirkstall stop. Building them at the same time on the same stretch of line will enable Metro to reduce costs and timescales.

Part of the funding from the CEG development could also be used to secure the additional trains required to meet the extra passenger demand that the new stations will create when they open, which could be in 2011.