Fence outside football club raises safety concerns

The fence has been placed around an area of land previously used for parking outside of St James' Park

A fence has been installed right outside a football club's ground, on land it does not own, prompting concerns about safety.

The wooden fence has been erected next to the East Stand entrance of Newcastle United's St James' Park.

The Newcastle United Supporters Trust (NUST) said putting obstacles, such as the fence, "in the way of supporters could have dangerous consequences and result in significant overcrowding".

The club said it did not own the land and had contacted the landowner. The BBC has approached St James Terrace Land Ltd for comment.

A portable building was placed on the same piece of land earlier this month but has since been removed.

"We strongly urge the landowner to remove the current structure and to stop putting structures in place which could compromise the safety of our supporters on matchdays," NUST said.

"It's disgraceful to display such openly petty behaviour, which shows a blatant disregard for the potential of their actions to put the safety of our fans at risk."

A portable building was placed on the land outside of the grounds earlier this month

Newcastle United has put up a sign saying the land is owned and controlled by St James Terrace Land Ltd.

"In the interests of continuing to provide uninterrupted access for our fans and others using St James' Park, particularly on matchdays, we have offered alternative nearby sites to the landowner for the safe storage of their items," the club said.

The club would "continue to seek to engage in constructive dialogue with the landowner on this matter", a spokesperson said.

Newcastle United added it had contacted season ticket holders to find out how the "recent usage of the land" by the company had affected them.

'Ongoing civil dispute'

Newcastle Central and West Labour MP Chi Onwurah posted on social media to say she would raise the issue with Newcastle City Council.

The authority said it had been made aware of the fence, which was "subject to an ongoing civil dispute".

"We have served planning contravention notices when previous items have been placed on the stretch of land in question," a spokesperson said.

"We are reviewing planning legislation to understand whether planning permission should have been sought, and whether a contravention notice could be issued."

The council said it was working with the club and Northumbria Police to ensure safety measures were in place for Newcastle United's match against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.