Diarmuid Gavin’s Gateshead Urban Garden ‘overambitious’
Plans for the world’s largest container garden, due to be built on the Gateshead bank of the Tyne have been shelved.
Designer Diarmuid Gavin’s concept involved a multi-level complex with bars, cafes, food outlets and a steam train. Labelled as ‘overambitious’ by Gateshead Council, the council originally gave the project planning permission in December 2017.
However, it says the site at Hillgate Quays will develop as part of the Great Exhibition of the North, which begins in June.
World’s biggest container garden using shipping containers
Plans included about 60 shipping containers as the base. The quay formed the home of the Tuxedo Princess and Tuxedo Royale floating nightclubs. Officials stated ‘the technical, logistical and commercial aspects of this development… were unlikely to be realised within the timescales’.
The garden was part of the official programme for the Great Exhibition of the North. Exhibition chairman Sir Gary Verity had described the plans as “ground-breaking”.
Regeneration plan
Gateshead Quays is already part of a massive regeneration plan. This includes the relocation of the 12,500-seat regional arena from Newcastle, a conference and exhibition centre, hotel, bars, and restaurants. Due for completion in 2021, major delays lie with the pandemic.
UPDATE: The only things that did materialise were a bar/restaurant and pop-up food stalls in shipping containers. The model of the Tyne Bridge from Gateshead Council’s RHS display arrived here from Saltwell Park. Sadly, there is now no mention of the garden proposals on the Gateshead Council website. The arena still hasn’t moved. The site awaits more bars and entertainment…
