Newcastle United Fans Battle Against Building Plans Around St James’ Park

Newcastle United supporters are used to battling to be represented correctly on the pitch, but they are currently embroiled in a fight to protect their identity off it. Building plans worth £120millon were unveiled in the summer, with a hotel, flats and offices set to be built on the site of Strawberry Place, next to St James’ Park. The land was purchased by Helios Investment Partners and Marrico Asset Management for £9million from unpopular Magpies owner Mike Ashley earlier this year.

Hundreds of supporters, angered by the sale of the land by Ashley, something they believe to be perhaps the biggest example of the retail billionaire disregarding the tradition and potential of the club, have opposed the plans. Newcastle United Supporters’ Trust (NUST), who represent 10,000 fans, have instructed solicitors to fight them, and are drumming up further backing from other fans upset at recent developments.

Among the biggest concerns for many are the permanent changes they would make to Newcastle’s famous skyline; many believe the fact St James’ Park takes pride of place when viewing the city from a height perfectly sums up the importance of the football club to the people. It could be argued that Ashley’s decision to sell off Strawberry Place is the biggest violation of what supporters hold dear, because these new building plans would compromise the landscape when it comes to the football stadium, affectionately dubbed “the cathedral on the hill”.

Objections don’t stop there, though. The new building work would end any hopes of the Gallowgate Stand being built on to increase the capacity of the stadium. At the turn of the century, the North and West stands, named after former shareholder Sir John Hall and one-time record goalscorer Jackie Milburn respectively, were built on to raise the overall capacity to over 52,000. The dream scenario of extending all four corners is unattainable because buildings behind the East stand are Listed and cannot be torn down, but the glimmer of hope of adding to the South part of the stadium is something all supporters want to keep alive. Though an expansion is very unlikely to happen during Ashley’s ownership, given the fact he sold the land in the first place, it would be impossible if the new plans come to fruition.

As things stand, the scheme would see a 21-storey building erected with 204 apartments inside, as well as a 13-storey hotel, a 12-storey office block and a residential building with 10 floors and 124 flats. The Sir Bobby Robson Memorial Garden, commemorating the life of the legendary Newcastle manager who died after a battle with cancer in 2009, would have to be moved to sit above the St James’ Park Metro station. NUST want council planners to halt proceedings, or at the very least force an analysis before re-opening the decision to public consultation.

Supporters have taken news of the plans as further proof that Ashley is not as intent on selling the club as he is letting on. Having decided to cash in on Strawberry Place, he has opened up the possibility of holding back the ambitions of any potential buyers, with Peter Kenyon and American consortium GACP Capital reportedly stepping up their efforts to gain control. It is clear that an extension to St James’ Park, in particular the Gallowgate End, the most famous stand in the stadium, would be worth it; before this season, when many supporters decided to stay away in protest at Ashley after the departure of Rafael Benitez in the summer, most home games were sold out, and the promise of a new dawn would almost certainly bring people back in droves. A bigger stadium is something that would signify ambition to compete higher up the Premier League table, too.

It is easy to say owners are just passing through, but Ashley’s reign will have an everlasting impact. Not only are supporters protesting against the state of the club on the pitch, but now they are trying to make their voices heard to stop something that can not be reversed, both for the sakes of Newcastle United and the city itself.

Politics has got involved in football for the sake of Newcastle; after a campaign to raise awareness of the running of the club by local Member of Parliament Chi Onwurah, Leader of the Opposition Jeremy Corbyn openly criticised Ashley last week, drawing a stinging response from the club via a statement. Corbyn has gained a lot of support from locals who are actively trying to make a point to Ashley.

On the pitch, the legacy of the current ownership is obvious, but it could soon be even clearer off it. Newcastle United supporters are battling hard against the plans to build on the site near their beloved St James’ Park, something they believe would ruin a city landmark and hold back their football club. If ever there were proof that football is about people and not about money, this is it in action.