According to Dominic Scurr of the Shields Gazette, Newcastle have now received planning permission to upgrade their training ground.
What’s the story?
Well, this is significant news for Newcastle.
Back in February, Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi sat down with The Athletic to discuss their plans for the Magpies, where a new training ground was mentioned.
Interestingly, Ghodoussi admitted that particular project will “probably take three years, maybe a little bit more.”
Now, the wheels have been set in motion after the North Tyneside Council approved plans to upgrade the facilities at Little Benton, as you can see below.
Fortunately, we are even able to see the specific proposal sent to the North Tyneside Council.
Staveley and Ghodoussi are planning to add ‘single storey side and rear extensions to the east side of the training complex’ as well as as a ‘rear extension’ to the existing dining room at the training ground.
There will also be landscaping works at the rear of the training complex, according to the photo posted by Scurr.
Newcastle could move sites
Ultimately, this is just the very beginning of Staveley and Ghodoussi’s three-year project to improve the training facilities at Newcastle.
During that interview with The Athletic, it was said that the pair are looking at sites for a purpose-built, world-class training ground, so the long-term goal seems to be moving the Magpies away from Little Benton.
For now, however, it is encouraging to see work carried out to enhance the existing site, which should be a big bonus to Eddie Howe and the players in terms of their day-to-day lifestyle.
After all, it is where they spent most of their time throughout the week, so it must be up to scratch.
The facilities under Mike Ashley and Steve Bruce simply weren’t good enough, so with talented players such as Bruno Guimaraes and Sven Botman arriving, improvements are definitely needed.
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