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

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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
www.cbuchanan.co.uk Fig. 7.2 - Character areas N Fisher Street shipyards Fisher Street industrial units White Street Area Bath Street/Station Road Hadrian’s Way Wincomblee Road Area Recent buildings Post war buildings Older premises Walker Riverside Feasibility Study Section 1 - p. 39
Page 1 and 2: Walker Riverside Feasibility Study
Page 3: Section 1: Baseline Audit..........
Page 6 and 7: Fig. 1.1 - Study Area N A&P Tyne Fi
Page 8 and 9: 4 Colin Buchanan
Page 10 and 11: 2. Consultation Meetings As part of
Page 12 and 13: Fig. 2.1 - Business Interviews Summ
Page 14 and 15: 3. Property and Development: Overvi
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Page 18 and 19: Fig. 3.3 - Building types N Recent
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Page 24 and 25: 5. Planning Policy Audit This secti
Page 26 and 27: Housing Strategy Housing provision
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Page 38 and 39: each other whilst negotiating the j
Page 40 and 41: 7. Urban Design Audit 7.1 General E
Page 44 and 45: It has a variety of building types,
Page 46 and 47: 42 Colin Buchanan
Page 48 and 49: 8. Baseline Key Issues This section
Page 50 and 51: Fig. 8.1 - Issues N Old and dilapid

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

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