Will new flats limit St James’?
TOON ARMY OBJECTS TO PLANS THAT COULD HALT EXPANSION
Reporter FEARS have been raised over the potential of expanding St James’ Park after the £60m development plans on neighbouring Strawberry Place were approved.
The proposal for nine and 11-storey student flats on land above St James’ Metro station were given the go-ahead at a meeting of Newcastle City Council’s planning committee on Friday.
As part of the scheme, developers Marrico Asset Management also intend to build a 17-storey apartment building and 10 floors of office space in a second phase of development on the site.
Since plans were given the green light, the Toon Army has raised concerns on social media over whether St James’ Park will now be bound to its current 52,000 capacity.
Here, we take a closer look at the proposed development and what it will mean for Newcastle United.
Proposals from Marrico Asset Management for land between Strawberry Place and the Gallowgate is broken down into two development phases. Firstly, plans to build two student blocks which will provide a total of 390 student bed spaces have been given the goahead by the planning committee.
Detailed plans for a 17-storey apartment building and office space will need to be provided by Marrico before the second phase of development can also be given the green light. Newcastle United Supporters Trust (NUST) objected to the plans, with one of the main reasons cited being the impact it would have on any future growth of the stadium.
They believe any development on the land behind the Gallowgate End would hamper the only realistic chance of expanding St James’ Park.
According to the trust, a feasibility study carried out before Mike Ashley bought the club proved it was viable and the loyalty of Newcastle United supporters could easily fill the seats.
A report prepared for the committee by officers reads: “In terms of future development of the football stadium, the application site is to the south of St James’ Park on the opposite side of Strawberry Place and adjacent to St James’ Metro Station.”
Speaking after plans were given the green light, an NUST spokesman says the development will make any further expansion of St James’ Park ‘very difficult.’
They added: “The other stands are hemmed in by listed buildings, and you cannot build the Milburn or Leazes Stands any higher.”
Developers Marrico have been commissioned by Newcastle United chairman Mike Ashley for the scheme, and NUST argue the move will leave the club trailing their rivals across the country.
The spokesman added: “With the crowds we’re getting in the Championship, it is not beyond imagination that an ambitious club down the line would be able to tap into support across the region and beyond to bring in crowds of 60-65,000.
“The man running our club is making it impossible to extend the capacity beyond what it currently is.”
Other reasons behind the objection from NUST is the impact the development will have on the views of St James’ Park across Newcastle, as well as the loss of city centre matchday parking. Planning officers confirmed in their report the view of the stadium ‘would be replaced by glimpses from key viewpoints, particularly from St James Boulevard and Gallowgate.’