Newcastle United backlash as 28,000 protestors sign Leazes Park stadium petition
Newcastle United are yet to formally announce a decision on St James’ Park’s future.
A petition from angry residents has been presented to councillors in a bid to stop Newcastle United building a 70,000-seater “super stadium” on Leazes Park.
Arguably the most debated Toon issue since the Saudi-backed takeover has centred around St James’ Park’s future. Newcastle’s home since 1892, with football predating the club by 12 years, the ground is a Tyneside landmark beloved by supporters far and wide.
But its close proximity to Leazes Park Terrace and St James Metro Station makes expansion a logistical nightmare - hence the stadium’s lop-sided appearance. In a world where the Magpies are aiming to boost revenues to comply with PSR restrictions, St James’ Park has come under the firing line.
Arguments for and against
The ground has not been expanded since the turn of the century - when it was the second largest in the Premier League. St James’ Park now sits seventh and the fear is Newcastle could be left behind.
However, sentimentality is a factor, with 133 years of United fans passing through the turnstiles to roar on their team. A state-of-the-art stadium has been mooted on the Grade II listed Leazes Park, a stone’s throw from St James’ Park.
St James’ Park decision this month?
The Telegraph reported on Tuesday that an ultimate decision is expected later this month. This has prompted Save Newcastle Wildlife campaigner Rachel Locke to label the proposals as “scandalous” while referencing the club’s contentious Saudi ownership.
A petition calling for a local referendum on the issue has reached 28,000 signatures and was given to Newcastle City Council. Speaking to The Chronicle, Labour councillor Dan Greenhough said: “Regardless of speculation, we have received no planning application from the club to develop land at Leazes Park or anywhere else in the city for a stadium or a redevelopment of St James’ Park.”
“As with any application, if a planning application is submitted to the Local Planning Authority we will assess this through the statutory process. There would be significant public engagement as part of that process.
"A key part of this process, whoever the developer is and wherever the plot of land they wish to develop, is proper consideration of the possible environmental impact of the proposals. Newcastle United would be treated no differently to anyone else in this respect.
“The speculation around Leazes Park is exactly that: speculation. The coverage on the subject in the international media and wherever else is beyond our control.”
What Newcastle United have said
Brad Miller, the club’s Chief Operating Officer, told fans that this is a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity. He said last year: "It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. So everything we are doing, do we invest and transform St James' as we see it today where we are? Or do we take that bold move and think about moving?
“We want to make sure it is a very robust process. So regardless of the outcome, I want to stand up in front of everybody through the process and say 'This is why it is a logical decision'.
"We have also taken the opportunity to look at what a new stadium would look like. It's not comparing apples with apples, they are not like for like. It's comparing apples with pears. The brilliant thing about St James' is it is an iconic location, the atmosphere and the competitive edge it gives the team on the pitch. It has 52,000 seats already.
"But a new stadium doesn't have that and we'd have to pay for all those seats again. A new stadium has the potential to earn a lot more, both on match days and non-match days. It is giving us an indication that we can actually contribute even more to the football club and football side if we had a new stadium.”