Newcastle United have drawn up and submitted new plans to improve the club's training ground, Chronicle Live understands. The Magpies have drafted proposals for a single storey side extension to the north elevation of the building with the purpose of extending the gym area and creating additional office space - to be used by recruitment staff.
The new proposal comes after a transformational year at Newcastle's Darsley Park base. A wealth of changes have been made at the Benton facility, including the introduction of a bigger dressing room, hydrotherapy and plunge pools, a new state of the art kitchen, upgraded offices and a brand new building exterior to name just a few.
In the recent application, Newcastle explained the need for additional gym space and added offices, writing: "Modern professional football demands the provision of bespoke dedicated training facilities to enable teams to compete successfully at the highest levels nationally and internationally."
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Newcastle submitted the proposals earlier this month but are still waiting on a decision. The Magpies had Ecological Impact Assessment tests carried out last year, which highlighted the risk of bat roosting at the training ground, although no direct evidence of bats was found inside the lofts or observed externally.
Newcastle also have to provide evidence when it comes to proving the proposed additions won't have an environmental impact or block access to and from the property. The club believe 'the current proposal addresses and deals with the brief and the local design guidelines and principles'.
Newcastle co-owner Amanda Staveley recently admitted plans were being made in regards to a brand new training ground. However, Magpies boss Eddie Howe is satisfied with the changes implemented at Benton since his arrival.
"It's getting there," Howe told reporters earlier this year. "The lads have got a couple more rooms to go into. It's still quite small and there's still a lot of building work going on.
"There are certain rooms they can't go into so it certainly feels that we are very tight together. Hopefully, in a few weeks, that will change and we will feel the benefits of the work going on."
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