More than £3m of public money is set to be handed over to plug a funding gap in hugely controversial plans to redevelop land around St James’ Park.
The North of Tyne Combined Authority (NTCA) plans to give developers almost £3.5m to kickstart the building of new apartment blocks, offices and a hotel in Strawberry Place. The proposals were approved in 2019, despite a backlash from Newcastle United fans, but have since stalled as previous developer High Street Group fell into administration.
Former NUFC owner Mike Ashley sold the prime site, where redevelopment plans are now controlled by investment group Reditum Capital, much to the anger of supporters. In November 2019, city councillors approved £120m plans to transform the area – despite the opposition of the Newcastle United Supporters’ Trust and MP Chi Onwurah, who warned that the move could one day force the football club to move to a bigger ground away from its iconic city centre location.