1999 these elements were desired but unrealistic, but in 2001 they had been added to the list of essential Academy elements by the FA in their new Elite Player Performance Plan, and therefore to retain Academy status, Sunderland were obliged to include them in the plans. Sunderland submitted the application in May 2002, and in August the plans were rejected by South Tyneside council, who said: We felt they were inappropriate for the green belt. Again Sunderland appealed, and a public inquiry was launched in April 2003. In November of that year, Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott rejected Sunderland's revised plans claiming the new elements would "cause significant harm to the openness and visual amenity of this sensitive part of the green belt." This ruling came despite Sunderland's argument that similar green belt developments at Manchester United, Arsenal and Middlesbrough had been accepted. By this point, the initial phase of the academy had been built, with area set aside for the proposed indoor barn and hostel. The ruling meant that in order to retain Academy status, Sunderland would have to find alternative sites for those elements of the academy, or abandon and relocate the entire centre. In January 2004 Sunderland City Council came to the rescue of Sunderland by offering the ice rink at the Crowtree Leisure Centre as a site for the indoor training area. The rink, in the centre of the city, was leased to Sunderland AFC for an initial two-years. The offer effectively saved the club's Academy status. Indoor Facility Expansion In 2009, plans were once again submitted for indoor training facilities, due to the impending closure of the Crowtree Leisure Centre. Chairman Niall Quinn announced proposals for a training barn which, following extensive consultation with local residents, would be built 5 metres lower than the original plan, making it no higher than the other academy buildings. The plans were approved in 2010 and a £3m indoor extension to the site was finally opened on 7 December 2012 by Trevor Brooking. The indoor facility is 82.4m wide, 64m long, and has an internal clearance of 10m. It has a translucent PVC roof to allow the 3G Artificial turf pitch to be illuminated by natural light. Academy status The club gained Category 1 (Elite) academy status despite not having an indoor training pitch onsite, as a result Sunderland compete in the Professional Development League as a Category 1