Castle Leazes

Leazes Park
Cows grazing on Castle Leazes, 2006
Castle Leazes  Castle Leazes shown within Tyne and Wear
OS grid	NZ242649
Coordinates	54°59′N1°37′W / 54.983°N 1.617°W / 54.983; -1.617

Castle Leazes is a piece of common land in Newcastle upon Tyne. It is situated in an area which separates Leazes Park and Spital Tongues. It has been in common ownership for over 700 years. ^[1]

This area of land was earmarked as the site of a new stadium by Newcastle United football club in the mid-1990s, when chairman John Hall announced his intention to build a 55,000 seater stadium was planned at a potential cost of £65 million. ^{[1] [2]} The planned move proved controversial with the club's supporters and others, and was shelved in favour of expanding St James' Park to over 50,000 seats over the next few years.

Castle Leazes Halls

The Castle Leazes Halls, built in 1969, were Newcastle University's second largest catered Halls of Residence, with approximately 1,050 student study bedrooms. ^[3] The halls closed in 2024 under a £250m redevelopment plan to provide new student accommodation on the site. ^[4] Demolition of the buildings was completed by Spring 2025. ^[5] The new development will create 2,000 student bedrooms, and is due to open in time for the 2028/9 academic year. ^[6]

References

1. "Newcastle divided as Toon army aim to camp on the moor". The Independent. 20 December 1996. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
2. "Newcastle Utd scraps super stadium plans". The Independent. 20 November 1997. Retrieved 10 October 2010.
3. "Castle Leazes". Newcastle University. Archived from the original on 12 February 2008. Retrieved 15 April 2008.
4. "Newcastle University announces £250m scheme to replace Castle Leazes halls". Evening Chronicle . Retrieved 20 February 2024.
5. "Demolition of Newcastle University accommodation underway". BBC News. 18 January 2025. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
6. "Planning permission granted for landmark Castle Leazes redevelopment". Press Office. 16 May 2025. Retrieved 29 October 2025.