It was featured in the Government's plans for the railway in November 2017[2] and in July 2018 further details were revealed as part of the Connecting Leeds Vision[3] with the consultation inviting opinions from the general public.

Leeds City Council are considering whether to retain Cottingley station or to close it, when White Rose opens.

[9] The station was approved by Leeds City Council in June 2020, with two platforms and a service pattern of two trains per hour in each direction.

[10][11] The developers stated that this will probably lead to the closure of the nearby Cottingley railway station, and whilst this was not initially confirmed by Northern, Leeds City Council or the Department for Transport, confirmation of the station closure came in October 2021.

[15] Construction of the new station was expected to be completed in early 2024, with an estimated cost of £26.5 million.