The plan is for a three-phase programme which would see a major conference centre, hotels and luxury apartments built at the ground.
£300m Development Of St James' Park
The plan is for a three-phase programme which would see a major conference centre, hotels and luxury apartments built at the ground.
Funding for the development would come from outside the club.
Freddy Shepherd: "What we are proposing is something not just for the football club, but for the whole city and the people of Newcastle. Having a conference centre would allow Newcastle to attract top events in all fields, and the whole project will stand as a monument to the vibrant development of the city in the new millennium."
Pressure is back on Shepherd after another poor showing on Saturday, and he is still seen as "public enemy number one" by a lot of the fans. Preparing for the renewal of season tickets, we expected the usual PR stunt from the chairman, like we get every year. But this even puts Shepherd's previous promises in the shade.
The new development could bring 1,500 jobs to the city and complete the regeneration of St James' and the adjacent area.
Capacity at the stadium was expanded from 36,000 to 52,000 in a scheme which began in 1999, and plans showed at the time that the club could not make it any bigger. The problem has always been the Victorian buildings behind the East Stand and the legally binding "Law of light". And even the building on the Gallowgate End (where the new seats will be put) had its problems because of the old mine shafts below.
It was only in Victorian times that a law was passed that mine shafts had to be recorded, and that was long after the coal was removed from under, and around, St James' Park.
It was only in Victorian times that a law was passed that mine shafts had to be recorded, and that was long after the coal was removed from under, and around, St James' Park.
Under phase one, a 140-bedroom hotel complex would be built on the site of the former Magpies Supporters' Club with a second hotel also in the blueprint.
Phase two will involve "superior" apartments behind the Leazes End of the stadium.
Development within St James', which would take the capacity to at least 60,000.
The land above the St James' Metro Stadium has been earmarked for a casino in a joint-venture with MGM Grand, although the future of that development rests with the Government.
The chairman says he is determined to get things right on the pitch, too.