Tall & Urban News

A £120 million (US$149 million) transformation of Strawberry Place is “progressing well and on schedule,” despite uncertainty caused by the coronavirus crisis and the proposed takeover of Newcastle United.

The giant redevelopment of land around St James’ Park for high-rise offices, flats, and hotels was approved in 2019, despite objections from hundreds of Magpies fans worried that it would obscure views of the stadium and prevent its future expansion.

And the firm now leading the plans, the Newcastle-based High Street Group, says the massive construction project is moving forward, with hopes to start work on the new blocks as soon as it is considered safe to do so, given the current lockdown and social distancing restrictions.

The developers say the Strawberry Place plans are carrying on regardless of the planned takeover of NUFC by a Saudi-backed consortium.

Club owner Mike Ashley sold the Strawberry Place land for £9 million (US$11.1 million) to Durham-based Helios Investment Partners and Doncaster developer Marrico Asset Management LLP.

Their development plans were signed off by Newcastle City Council in November 2019, before the High Street Group bought a controlling stake in the company that acquired the land in January 2020.

Gary Forrest, chairman of the High Street Group, said “We have some really exciting plans for Strawberry Place, which are progressing well and on schedule.”

"Discussions are taking place with potential occupiers as well as contractors. We look forward to starting on site as soon as is appropriate.”

“This development, which will create hundreds of new jobs in the city center and enhance the match day experience for Newcastle United fans, will help us achieve our mission of building sustainable communities where people love to live,” he added.

After issuing a call for Toon fans to come up with ideas, the company announced that it intends to create a Geordie-themed bar or restaurant within the development.

The approved plans include two apartment buildings of 21 and 10 stories, a 12-story office block, and a 13-story hotel.

City councilor Ged Bell, the council’s cabinet member for employment and culture, said "It's fundamentally important to the economy of the city and the wider region that development picks up again once the government begins to gradually ease the lockdown restrictions.”

"Developments such as this one at Strawberry Place are going to be even more important than before in providing employment opportunities for local people and we are delighted that the developer is keen to make a start as soon as it is safe to do so.”

"The onus is on all companies to ensure that their staff can work while complying with social distancing so not only they are kept safe but also the public," he added.

More than 1,700 people objected to the plans, including city Member of Parliament (MP) Chi Onwurah.

Greg Tomlinson, of the Newcastle United Supporters’ Trust, told a council planning hearing in November 2019 that the possibility of extending St James’ Park was not needed at the time but could be with a “successful and ambitious Newcastle United” in the future.

For more on this story, go to the Evening Chronicle.