Plans to create a shipping container village in Ouseburn have been given the go-ahead by the local council.
Chronicle Live reported that the scheme is proposed for the site of the Canvas Works, a dilapidated building in need of redevelopment. Newcastle City Council approved the plans submitted by design studio Raskl, which will see 34 shipping containers used to create VESSL.
The site will house a combination of 24 studio spaces for local creative businesses, as well as three cafes or restaurants and a roof terrace.
Councillor Ged Bell, council cabinet member for employment and culture, told the news provider that it’s always good to see a brownfield site that’s fallen into disrepair being brought back to use.
He added: “Container villages are extremely popular among the public and the VESSL development will help diversify the appeal of Ouseburn as a location for small businesses and create jobs, helping grow the economy.”
It has been likened to other shipping container developments in and around Newcastle, such as Stack and By The River Brew village. However, unlike Stack, VESSL will be permanent and therefore the council has asked the developer to submit a maintenance plan to ensure the site doesn’t fall into disrepair.
Cumbria Crack recently reported that the county is getting its first shipping container development, with the project at Kingmoor Park already drawing a considerable level of interest.
The initial phase of the development will feature 34 offices as well as a cafe. The director of Prospus Property, which is the sole agent for the development, Alistair Fell said that there has been “a lot of interest” in the development, but added that “we have the capacity to deliver as many of these unique offices as demand requires”.
Have projects like these inspired you to explore buying a used shipping container for a development of your own?