Businesses and members of the public are being asked their views on bold visions of how Newcastle Quayside could be transformed.
City centre business improvement district company NE1 has launched the second stage of a consultation - publishing a series of images from North East architects in collaboration with Danish firm Gehl, which was appointed to the project earlier this year.
The images - designed to be a starting point for conversations - show a range of ideas including pontoons, light installations and public art.
Read more: Newcastle city centre group moves forward plans to boost city's Quayside
This latest wave of consultation follows an initial phase launched in January, from which several key themes emerged and were examined more closely by a group of businesses and residents in February.
NE1 said the themes are "greening the Quayside, connecting the Quayside to the city, history and heritage, lighting and activating the area, as well as making more of the river Tyne itself with activations on and by the water".
Developing the Quayside was one NE1’s key pledges when it successfully campaigned for its renewal in 2019 and now it says it wants to see a “bold, visionary future for Newcastle’s iconic Quayside”. The organisation has launched an online survey in which people can answer a series of questions and pick the most appealing ideas, as well as make suggestions as to how they could benefit the wider community.
The deadline for submissions is April 15. Survey responses will be compiled and reported to stakeholders in May, along with recommendations.
The first trials of the selected concepts could be in place as early as this summer with a vision for the future of the Quayside mapped out for years to come.
Stephen Patterson, chief executive of NE1 Ltd said: “It is a hugely exciting time for the Quayside and the city. Over £850m worth of development is earmarked for both sides of the river Tyne, with plans to build homes for 5,000 new residents and an estimated six million extra visitors to the area each year. Groundwork has already started on a number of these projects.
“Working closely with all major stakeholders and the public we want to seize the opportunity that this change and investment brings by developing a collective vision, an ambitious plan for the area for years to come, one that is bold and keeps the public realm in focus. This is not NE1’s vision for the iconic Quayside, it belongs to everyone.
“Working together we want to create exciting, lively, and sustainable public spaces between all the new buildings and development. With the public’s involvement and collaboration, as a city we can collectively decide what we want for our Quayside now and into the future.”
The survey can be completed via the link: https://new.maptionnaire.com/q/9ko3j7bov8di
