Newcastle’s unique character could be under threat if it opens the door to new skyscraper developments, a heritage organisation has warned.
The city is famed for its stunning architecture, from the sweeping Georgian majesty of Grey Street to the instantly recognisable Quayside. But after plans emerged recently for a huge new tower that would become Newcastle’s tallest building, there are concerns about Tyneside potentially becoming subject to the same proliferation of high-rise blocks seen in places like Manchester.
Tim Wickens, of the Northumberland and Newcastle Society (N&N), has called on city bosses to take action now to guard against “indiscriminate development of that type of building”. Mr Wickens, who was heavily critical last month of plans to tear down much of the listed Carliol House to make way for HMRC’s new city centre office complex, said: “Last year Newcastle was named among the 20 best second cities in the world and a big part of that was about architecture, saying it was an amazing city with fantastic architecture around every corner.
