Plans for ‘Whey Eye’ development unveiled

New plans for the proposed £100m development on Newcastle Quayside, including images of the giant observation wheel dubbed the “Whey Aye”, have been revealed.Developer World Wheel Company has released new images of the giant observation wheel, which at almost 460 ft high – 16 ft bigger than the London Eye – would become Europe’s tallest.Computer-generated images show The Whey Aye and the rest of the “Giants on the Quayside” project, including The Geordie Giant, a 39 ft tall steel structure, and a The Giant’s Quay, a new leisure development. The project could create up to 550 jobs.The development will cover 344,445 sq ft in total and will take an estimated 18 to 24 months to build. A detailed planning application relating to the observation wheel and the Giants on the Quayside structures is due to be submitted to Newcastle City Council later this year.As well as the giant wheel, the development will offer leisure facilities including climbing walls, a skywalk, and food and drink outlets. A ‘Giant Sport Deck’ will comprise a play and sports complex, with five-a-side pitches and tennis courts, and a virtual golf club.Phase one of the development will include a 7,500 sq ft screen on the facade of the visitor centre at the base of The Whey Aye. Subject to a licence being approved, phase two will add a record-breaking 100,000 sq ft screen to the wheel itself.World Wheel Company has established a base in Newcastle to manage the design, construction and operation of the project.