Newcastle United fans have welcomed a U-turn on plans to give more than £3m in public money to a contentious development next to St James’ Park.
The North of Tyne Combined Authority (NTCA) had been set to award funding to cover a “viability gap” in the much-debated regeneration of Strawberry Place. But politicians decided on Tuesday afternoon to press pause on that £3.5m deal, with sources telling the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that the idea was likely to be scrapped.
The building of new flats, offices, and a hotel on a site that was sold by former NUFC owner Mike Ashley has been heavily criticised by fans, who have long feared that such a move would put an end to any prospect of the stadium ever being expanded – and perhaps even force the football club to one day leave St James’ Park. Some supporters have expressed hope that the Saudi-led consortium which has since taken over NUFC could seek to buy back the land.
