Iconic football stadium stand deemed 'at risk'
Getty ImagesA football stadium stand has been added to a list of notable buildings considered to be currently "at risk".
The East Stand at Newcastle United's St James' Park was included on The 20th Century Society's list of landmarks vulnerable to neglect, dereliction or demolition, with worries the oldest surviving part of the site could be subject to future redevelopment.
It said the "finely-detailed stand" with "brutalist credentials" was a "striking urban set-piece" of 19th and 20th century architecture.
The club, which has talked about ground expansion or relocation, is yet to respond to requests for comment on the stand's listing.
Experts in various fields behind the yearly list said the stadium, which has been on the same site since 1892, often tops fan polls for the best ground in the Premier League.
The stadium had been developed in a "lopsided asymmetrical way" because it is hemmed in by a Grade I listed Georgian terrace on one side and the Victorian Leazes Park on the other.
Oli Marshall, campaign director for The 20th Century Society, said they included it because of the debate around the future of St James' Park.
Mr Marshall said: "This an exciting new era for Newcastle United and the club have to look to the future, but we included the East Stand on this year's Risk List to highlight what an unusual and historic brutalist structure it is.
"If the plan is to stay-put, we hope it'll be retained and made a feature of."
The society suggested pedestrianising the road and creating a fan-zone would create a "setting unique in British sport".
The debate around the future of St James's Park, and whether the club ultimately decides to expand the ground or build a completely new stadium, was "obviously a hugely emotive and complex one," Mr Marshall added.