Feasibility Study for the Industrial Area - Part 1 (PDF 5 MB)

7.3 Character
The industrial Walker Riverside is decidedly different from the rest
of Walker. This is because of topography, land use and building
types. Despite being compact and and distinguishable, it is not
an homogeneous area. The following character areas have been
identified:
Wincomblee Road Area, also known as the Walker
Riverside Industrial Park
This area is characterised by level topography (with the exception
of the road itself, which reaches from the upper level) and a firm
sloping boundary up to Hadrian’s Way, which shelters the area
from the residential neighbourhood.
It has its primary frontage onto the river, where a 1000m long
quay with heavy lift cranes, which are visible from a considerable
distance along the riverside.
It is characterised by recent metal clad industrial units of various
sizes: from the very large bespoke sheds of Wellstream to a
group of speculative medium sized units. Massive reels of cables
populate the yards.
Roads are wide and quiet, with (we understand) the occasional
burst of heavy vehicle traffic at times of unloading ships.
The environment is very well cared for, with lawns and decorative
planting, continuous well maintained blue security fencing for
most part of the area, recent lighting units, CCTV and coherent
signage (in the City Council house style).
Mixed scrub and young woodland planting is found on the slope
up to Hadrian’s Way, where it constitutes an attractive
background, an efficient barrier (doubled up by additional fencing)
and an area of wildlife interest. The overall character of this area
is that of a modern and efficient industrial estate, appropriate to
the global role of the main players of the area.
White Street Area, between Malaya Drive and Welbeck
Road
This area displays a radical change from the previous and
adjacent one. It is characterised by several changes in level, with
retaining walls and different platforms, from Hadrian’s Way level
down to the riverside. Despite its riverside location, it has no
direct river frontage or river use.
It has a large majority of pre war buildings, generally unattractive,
in red brick with, in many instances, metal clad roof additions.
Notable exceptions are the Wincomblee Workshop, an attractive
period building needing refurbishment, and the recently
completed Shepherd Offshore development. Substantial retaining
walls of various quality are present, and are generally in poor
condition .
The differences in level, retaining walls and progressive change
have generated an intricate pattern of development, where
access, vehicular manoeuvring and business expansion are
particularly constrained. Access roads are convoluted and
unattractive.
Landscape is limited to self-sown scrub in abandoned or
unusable parts of the area. Despite the difficulties in orientation,
there is no coherent signage system or lighting. The footways are
in poor conditions at points and retaining walls have been
patched up with unmatching materials.
The overall appearance is that of an old industrial estate with very
little quality. This is not always appropriate to the nature of the
businesses that occupy this area.
Fisher Street shipyards
This is a broadly flat and open area with direct frontage onto the
river.
It is characterised by large open areas, where the land has been
cleared (Neptune Yard is the largest cleared site in the Walker
Riverside) or where slipways and dry docks lay currently empty.
There are three building types: the large grey metal sheds of the
shipyard, two rows of brick terraced housing and the cranes. The
frontage on Fisher Street is long and monotonous, also because
of the lack of activity.
There are very limited green areas, with the exception of an out of
place playground and a few trees recently planted in the car park.
There is no signage, except for site hoardings and very poor
wooden fencing in proximity of the houses.
This area has a lot of character, due to the views on the cranes
and on the Hebburn river bend, but lies sadly silent and unused.
Fisher Street industrial units
This is the roadside row of post war and recent industrial units
located between Fisher Street and Hadrian’s Way. There are
some differences in levels as the units follow the gradient of the
road.
The area is characterised by being very densely built with very
limited yard space. The northern part of the area is made up of
mainly post war buildings, with a common office frontage for a
part of it. There are several vacant units. The southern part is
made of recent units arranged around two small common yards.
Vacant dilapidated buildings frame the area at either end. This
part of the study area offers accommodation to a very wide range
of business sectors and has a limited marine character, despite
enjoying impressive views on the river and the shipbuilding
cranes.
The Fisher Street frontage is of overall average quality, but
generally well kept: appropriate fencing, tidy hoardings, etc.
There are no street trees or other forms of planting and there is a
need to rely on street parking, which sometimes can generate a
messy appearance. The Hadrian’s Way frontage is of lower
quality, with untidy and old backs of buildings exposed.
The overall appearance is that of a densely developed
employment area, which could easily accommodate a range of
office/ research and small scale production businesses.
Bath Street/Station Road between Malaya Drive and
Welbeck Road
This is a broadly flat area, at the western side of the ridge of
Hadrian’s Way and it is surrounded by residential
neighbourhoods.
38 Colin Buchanan