Council leader backs NUFC training ground plans

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Council leader backs NUFC training ground plans

A council leader has backed £190m plans for Newcastle United’s new training ground but insisted they would be given “robust” scrutiny.

The club announced on Thursday a deal had been struck to purchase the 260-acre (105-hectare) Woolsington Hall estate as the location for a “world class” new training complex.

The estate houses a listed country house and parkland and was previously purchased in 1994 by former Newcastle chairman Sir John Hall, who had wanted to move the club’s academy there.

Newcastle City Council’s Liberal Democrat leader Colin Ferguson welcomed the prospect of the club moving their training base within the city’s boundaries from the existing training ground in Longbenton.

A planning application for the development is expected in early 2027, with hopes it could be open for the 2029/30 season.

Ferguson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the club was “a

“However, it is also vitally important that any planning application that comes forward is properly consulted upon and that those living in the area have their say,” he said.

“Our independent planning committee will be robust in their challenge; as leader of the council I rightly do not have influence over that process.

“Whatever moves forward must be to the benefit of all the city.”

Newcastle City Council's Liberal Democrat leader Colin Ferguson, a man with fair hair and a beard, is smiling at the camera. He is wearing a light coloured suit jacket, white shirt and pale yellow tie. — Colin Ferguson welcomed the prospect of Newcastle United Football Club’s new grounds at Woolsington Hall [LDRS]

A council spokesperson added any planning application would be “subject to the same consultation process as any other resident or developer”.

The proposed development is being funded by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), the club’s majority owners, and RB Sports and Media.

Newcastle City Council’s relationship to the football club has come under scrutiny in recent years, following the PIF-led takeover in 2021.

NUFC chief executive David Hopkinson said the Woolsington Hall deal, which comes after lengthy speculation surrounding the prospect of both a new training ground and stadium, was a “landmark moment”.

He added: “Subject to planning permission, our proposed performance complex will create the world’s best performance environment for our teams.”

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