Newcastle announces stadium expansion plan

Newcastle have announced plans to increase the capacity of St James' Park to more than 60,000 as part of a planned £300m (443.75m) development scheme.

Under the Number 1 St James' Park project, which is yet to be submitted to planning chiefs, a three-phase programme would see a major conference centre, hotels and luxury apartments built at the ground.

Funding for the development would come from outside the club.

"What we are proposing is something not just for the football club, but for the whole city and the people of Newcastle," said chairman Freddy Shepherd.

"Having a conference centre would allow Newcastle to attract top events in all fields, and the whole project will stand as a monument to the vibrant development of the city in the new millennium."

The announcement comes three days after the club's latest interim figures revealed an operating loss after player trading and amortisation of £6.9m (€10.2m).

In addition, a 1-0 home defeat by Manchester City on Saturday, which saw Glenn Roeder's players booed from the pitch, left the Magpies in 11th place in the Premiership.

However, while Shepherd is determined to get things right on the pitch, he is equally keen to keep pace with the club's competitors off it.

The new development could bring 1,500 jobs to the city and complete the regeneration of St James' and the adjacent area.

Capacity at the stadium was expanded from 36,000 to 52,000 in a scheme which began in 1999, but the new initiative is more wide-ranging.

Under phase one, a 140-bedroom hotel complex would be built on the site of the former Magpies Supporters' Club with a second hotel also in the blueprint.

Phase two will involve "superior" apartments behind the Leazes End of the stadium.

Development within St James', which would take the capacity to at least 60,000, would take place at the Gallowgate End.

The land above the St James' Metro Stadium has been earmarked for a casino in a joint-venture with MGM Grand, although the future of that development rests with the Government.

But a purpose-built conference centre would complete the scheme and establish St James' as a major venue.