GOOD NEWS:Newcastle United has finally announces plans to expand and reconstruct stadium….

Newcastle planning to build huge new £1.2bn stadium to rival Man Utd’s Old Trafford

Newcastle chiefs are preparing to submit their final recommendation for a new stadium to the club’s Saudi Arabia owners, with the plans expected to cost £1.2billion.

Newcastle United are planning to splash out £1.2billion to build a new stadium that would rival Manchester United’s Old Trafford home.

The Magpies currently play at St James’ Park, though have felt restricted by its 52,305 capacity. Club chiefs have been exploring the future of their home for some time, a process which was accelerated when Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund bought the club.

There have been discussions around refurbishing St James’ Park and even building a new stadium altogether on a separate site. But it now appears that an amalgamation of the two plans could prove to be selected.

Both plans present a number of challenges, with limited spare space being available in Newcastle’s city centre. But one option for a new site is Leazes Park, a Victorian-era green space which sits in the shadow of Newcastle’s current home.

According to The Telegraph, Newcastle chiefs are edging towards recommending a new £1.2bn expansion with a capacity of just under 70,000 to the club’s Saudi owners. There is said to be ‘growing momentum’ behind the plan, which is seen as being ‘hugely ambitious’.

If approved by the ownership, it would see Newcastle call home to the second largest club stadium in the country behind only Old Trafford. The stadium would be constructed using an ‘overlapping footprint’, using some of the land St James’ Park currently stands on.

A small part of Leazes Park would be needed, but there is home that the reduced area would be more palatable to the city council and local residents. Though the majority of the park would not be impacted.