Newcastle United 2-0 Athletic Club: Joe Buck reaction
Council bosses have denied any “secrets or secrecy” over the prospect of Newcastle United building a new stadium on Leazes Park.
Rumours have swirled for months over the possibility of the football club leaving St James’ Park for a new home, with the neighbouring grade II listed green space reportedly the preferred location.
While Magpies fans are still waiting for the club to announce a decision on any future plans, the idea of building on Leazes Park has sparked concern from conservationists.
Leazes Park in Newcastle City Centreplaceholder image
Leazes Park in Newcastle City Centre | NCJ Media/LDRS
This summer, a petition signed by more than 28,000 opposing a potential new “Saudi super stadium” was presented to Newcastle City Council.
And local authority leaders were questioned again about Leazes Park’s future on Wednesday night.
Independent councillor Jane Byrne called on the Labour-run council to “commit to a policy of transparency with city residents about the potential use of Leazes Park, and any other land owned by the city, by Newcastle United Football Club” and confirm what discussions had been held over any potential sale, lease, or transfer of the site.
She also revealed that the council had refused to answer a freedom of information request asking for details of emails between the council’s political leadership or directors and NUFC since 2018 about Leazes Park, on the grounds that it would take officers too long to sift through thousands of pieces of correspondence.
Their response, seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, claims that there were 31,680 potentially relevant emails which appeared in an initial search of the council’s email system containing the terms “Newcastle United Football Club” and “Leazes Park” – and either the words “legal agreement”, “leasehold”, or “sale”.
Speaking at a full council meeting, Coun Byrne said that writing more than 30,000 emails on the subject would be an “enormous investment of time” and asked why it was deemed justified.
In response, deputy council leader Alex Hay said: “Residents care about the football club, the council cares about the football club, but I am not going to comment on rumour or hypotheticals.”
The Labour councillor said the authority was “absolutely committed to a policy of transparency with members of council and residents about all aspects of the council’s business”.
The council later confirmed it has not received any planning application from the club to develop on Leazes Park or anywhere else in the city for a new stadium or for a revamped St James Park.
Coun Hay added: “I understand why questions like this are raised but it is important to recognise that some aspects of the council’s work must remain commercially confidential. That is not about secrets or secrecy, but about good governance.
“Every local authority deals with matters that involve potential investment, land, or partnership working and those discussions often carry commercial or legal sensitivities.
“Being mindful of those protects the council’s position, prevents the creation of liability, and safeguards the public interest.
“Any conversations that take place will be handled by officers at the appropriate level, in line with our established procedures and professional standards. All decisions will continue to be made within the council’s policy and budget framework, with the Nolan principles and our shared commitment to openness and democratic accountability.”
Newcastle United FC declined to comment.
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