Our green fingered colleagues working at our Farringdon Row multi-storey car park project in Sunderland are preparing for their next big milestone; installing thousands of live plants on the walls of the new development.

The car park walls will feature more than 51,000 variety of plants which have been carefully selected to thrive in the local climate and to provide a habitat for insects.

Sprawling across the north and south sides of the soon to open 650-space multi-storey car park, the impressive walls span a staggering 6,000sq ft.

Designed to drive down carbon emissions and mitigate pollution, the walls were designed by ANS Group and will provide a stunning new gateway to Riverside Sunderland.

This project is an integral part of the Riverside Sunderland development vision to create a sustainable and eco-friendly environment that benefits both the local community and the wider environment. We have selected a variety of plants that will provide a habitat for insects, promoting biodiversity and contributing to the overall health of the local ecosystem.

Among the plants, carex pendula is being grown to support the creation of a habitat, while the cotoneaster suecicus is being planted for berries and birds.

As Project Manager, John Ward noted: “This is a significant step forward in our efforts to create a vibrant and sustainable community that will be a model for other cities around the world."

Cllr Graeme Miller

The living wall is yet another stunning addition to our city centre and we are absolutely thrilled to see it finally take shape.

Standing atop Galley’s Gill, it will help the new car park blend perfectly into its natural surroundings while significantly reducing emissions by, literally, breathing new life into the atmosphere.

It will also serve as a gateway to Riverside Sunderland, showcasing our commitment to sustainability and green living, while reinforcing the message to residents and visitors alike that Sunderland really is a city fixated on becoming a city of the future.

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