Whey Aye Wheel Construction Delayed
Whey Aye wheel construction delayed despite major step forward for £100m ‘landmark’. Developers behind the controversial project, which will include a 460ft observation wheel alongside other attractions, say that it should be open to the public in 2023.
The Newcastle Chronicle are reporting that construction of the gigantic Whey Aye wheel complex on the Newcastle Quayside has been pushed back to the end of this year, despite a major step forward for the £100 million scheme. Developers behind the controversial project, which will include a 460ft observation wheel alongside other attractions, say that it should be open to the public in 2023.
Official planning permission was issued this week for the development to go ahead on the old Spillers flour mill site following final legal negotiations between Newcastle City Council and the World Wheel Company, almost a full year after councillors voted to approve the scheme.
The developer said in April that it was “totally committed” to its vision for the ‘Giants on the Quayside’ site despite the huge economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, though it has now confirmed a “sensible precaution” to push its construction schedule back from a previous summer start date.
World Wheel Company Newcastle chief executive, Phil Lynagh, said: “We are pleased that our detailed planning application for our Giants on the Quayside development has now been sealed.
“We are looking forward to the next phase of bringing this landmark development to Newcastle. We remain totally committed to building a £100m world-class development that will create 800 or more jobs and deliver the greatest benefit for the city of Newcastle, its people and its business community.
“Due to current events, we have taken the sensible precaution of revising our build schedule. We now anticipate work starting on site towards the end of this year, with Giants on the Quayside now scheduled to open to the public towards the end of 2023.”
As well as Europe’s tallest observation wheel, the complex will feature a 39ft human-shaped statue called The Geordie Giant, a virtual golf club, and a family entertainment centre.
However, critics have labelled the project “cheap and nasty” and predicted that it will be a “flop”.