NEWCASTLE UNITED’S hopes of expanding St James’ Park have received a major boost after the club successfully completed the purchase of a key plot of land adjoining the stadium site at Strawberry Place.

The land, which lies behind the Gallowgate End of St James’ Park, close to the Strawberry pub, was sold by Mike Ashley to private developers Helios Real Estate and Marrico for £9m four years ago.

It was feared that if it was developed into offices or residential apartments, it would potentially prevent Newcastle from being able to increase the capacity at St James’ Park and force the club to move to a new ground if they wanted to boost attendances.

Newcastle City Council approved plans for a potential high-rise development in 2019 despite receiving more than 1,700 objections to the controversial proposal for apartments, offices and a hotel on the land.

However, Magpies co-owner Mehrdad Ghodoussi has led 12 months of negotiations which finally resulted in Newcastle officials agreeing a deal that restores the key plot of land into the club’s hands earlier this week.

The deal means the Magpies now have access to land immediately behind the Gallowgate End, and in the short term, there are suggestions they could look to create some form of ‘fan site’ to enhance supporter experience at the existing St James’ Park.

In the longer term, however, the land could be crucial to plans for expansion as the city-centre location of Newcastle’s stadium means the scope for extending other parts of the stadium are extremely limited.

The demand for tickets for Newcastle United’s home games has soared since the club’s Saudi Arabia-backed ownership group completed its takeover, with every home match since the turn of the year having been sold out.

Newcastle currently boast more than 40,000 season-ticket holders, but their matchday income continues to lag significantly behind the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool, who have all benefited from either new stadiums or a major ground extension in the last few years.

Speaking to The Athletic about the possibility of increasing St James’ Park’s current capacity of 52,305 last year, Ghodoussi said: “We’ll definitely look at expanding it.

“We’re working with the city and council to see what we can do. There are a lot of things that need to happen first, but that’s the way forward. If we can get it to 60 or 65,000, amazing.”