Newcastle City Council's Decision on St James' Stack Sparks Major Concerns

Strategic Insights -

The decision by Newcastle City Council to grant a five-year extension to the planning permission for the Stack fan zone outside St James' Park has sparked opposition from over 100 bars and pubs in the city centre. The venues, represented by the NE1 Hospitality Group, claim that the extension is "unlawful" and has damaged their businesses. The group has applied for a judicial review, which could potentially result in the council's decision being quashed.

The Stack fan zone, constructed from 56 repurposed shipping containers, has been a big hit with patrons since opening in 2024. It is home to bars and street food vendors, has hosted over 1,400 stage performances, and now employs 175 people. However, the emergence of the 2,000-capacity site next to the home of Newcastle United has drawn trade away from other venues in the city centre.

Key Takeaways:

  • The NE1 Hospitality Group, representing over 100 bars and pubs in Newcastle city centre, has applied for a judicial review of the council's decision to grant a five-year extension to the Stack fan zone's planning permission.
  • The group claims that the extension is "unlawful" and has damaged their businesses, which are struggling to deal with increases in employers' national insurance contributions and other cost pressures.
  • The Stack fan zone has been a big hit with patrons since opening in 2024 and is home to bars and street food vendors, but its emergence has drawn trade away from other venues in the city centre.
  • The NE1 Hospitality Group argues that the council's decision was made under "delegated powers" by planning officers rather than being put before elected politicians on the planning committee.
  • The group has complained that businesses' objections were not properly taken into account when the original 2023 decision was made.
  • A judicial review challenging a planning decision can be brought based on whether a council made a planning decision in a proper and lawful manner, rather than on the qualities of the actual development itself.
  • The court will decide whether a case is arguable and can proceed to a final hearing or will be dismissed. If the judicial review is granted, the court could ultimately decide to quash the council's original decision.

Statistics:

  • The Stack fan zone is home to over 1,400 stage performances.
  • The venue employs 175 people.
  • The NE1 Hospitality Group represents over 100 bars and pubs in Newcastle city centre.
  • The council granted planning permission to the Stack fan zone in 2023 for a temporary period of three years, and an extension was granted in the summer of this year.
  • The Stack fan zone has been in operation since 2024.

Sources:

  • "St James' Stack: The fan zone outside St James' Park becomes a source of major concern for rival bars and pubs in Newcastle city centre". ChronicleLive, [no date].
  • "Newcastle City Council's decision on St James' Stack sparks major concerns". ChronicleLive, [no date].
  • "NE1 Hospitality Group challenges Newcastle City Council's decision on St James' Stack". ChronicleLive, [no date].
  • "Stack: the fan zone outside St James' Park". ChronicleLive, [no date].
  • "Planning application: Newcastle United Football Club Projects Limited". Newcastle City Council, [no date].