Want the top news headlines sent to your inbox daily? Sign up to our FREE newsletter below Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

New plans for the 'Whey Aye' development have been revealed - and Europe's biggest wheel is set to get some 'giant' neighbours.

The sprawling development has been officially named 'Giants on the Quayside'.

And never-before-seen images have revealed some of the attractions which developers say shows the site will be much more than the 440ft wheel.

"It isn't just about the 'Whey Aye'," said Phil Lynagh, chief executive officer of developer World Wheel Company’s Newcastle operation.

"Of course it is the new giant of the north which forms the centre of our development.

(Image: World Wheel Company)



"It is not just about that - it is part and parcel of a greater user experience.

"From start to finish, it is a place we would expect you to come down to if you are a young family an older family or a larger family."

The new attractions include a 39ft statue named 'The Geordie Giant' and a huge food and drink site dubbed 'The Giant's Quay'.

And the site's sporting developments will include The Quayside Golf Club - where golfers can play a virtual round at one of almost 300 famous courses while enjoying a pint.

There will also be a huge trampoline park and "affordable" sporting facilities, including five-a-side pitches, as well as a toddler's area.

(Image: World Wheel Company)

When initially revealed, developers said the 440ft 'observation wheel - bigger than the London Eye - would also host the world's biggest LED screen.

While the new plans don't show the screen, bosses say it is still planned. A second, smaller screen will also now be built underneath.

Around 550 full and part-jobs will be created by the site, pumping millions into the Tyneside economy and attracting an estimated 800,000 visitors a year.

(Image: World Wheel Company)

Big names like Alan Shearer have praised the site, calling it "great news" for Newcastle.

“We have had an overwhelmingly positive response to our plans so far and hope this latest announcement will whet people’s appetites even further," added Phil.

“We are proposing a £100m regeneration and inward investment project that will create local jobs and ongoing revenue for the regional economy.”

Having gone through the books with partners PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Phil said the results are "excellent".

(Image: The World Wheel Company)

"We are looking at hundreds of millions of pounds of salaried income over a twenty year period into this region - this is a very important thing," he added.

"It is what this development delivers to this city and region, not what it takes out.

"We will be bringing sustainable jobs into (the region). One of our dreams as a company is to have three or four generations of the same family working at this development, from this region.

"There is no reason at all why we couldn't have every single job, within a three year period,...being born, bread and being employed locally and that's exactly what we are trying to do."

And ChronicleLive can exclusively reveal the plans will today take a huge leap forward into becoming a reality.

A scoping application to Newcastle City Council will go public on Monday. If approved, work could start as early as next summer on bringing the site to life.

An almost 600m stretch of land on the site of the former Spillers' Flour Mill will be used to house the 'Giants of the Quayside'.

(Image: The World Wheel Company)

Aesthetically, developers say it will "pay homage to the industrial heritage" of the area.

"We want something that is contemporary, that is light, spacious and isn't full of concrete," added Phil.

While the new masterplan shows the wheel without the world-record LED screen from the initial plan, the firm insists it is "fully committed" to ensuring it will be there once the site opens in 2020.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

"We will be applying for a media licence to do this as soon as the development gets through planning.

"This is a way for us to ensure the development gets built."

"This development is not driven by us as developers -it is driven by what, over the last two years, the city and the council representatives of the city want us to deliver."

Previously, another 'giant' was announced for the privately funded site.

The interactive 'Giants of the North' exhibition will allow visitors to be transported through Tyneside's history before experiencing thrills such as walking out to Local Hero at St James’ Park.

The project's been in the pipeline since the start of the decade, ex-NUFC chairman Freddie Shepherd was involved during the early stages prior to his death.

World Wheel Company chief marketing officer, Nigel Hartley, added: “Our development will complement Newcastle’s global reputation as a vibrant, progressive, welcoming city and help deliver one of Europe’s best waterfront experiences.

"We look forward to presenting our full proposals to Newcastle City Council later this year.”

A Newcastle City council spokesperson said: “This is an exciting and ambitious project which could create hundreds of jobs for local people, bringing further private investment into the city.

“Once we receive a planning application this ambitious scheme will be considered in line with the usual planning process.”