Small Space, Huge Impact
Chillizen’s Play Pocket picks up Lord Mayor’s Design Award
What started as an overlooked street end, closed to vehicular traffic since the 1980’s is now a small but powerful example of what leftover streets and spaces can do differently - managing surface water run-off, supporting biodiversity, and creating space for people to meet, play, learn and rest.
The project puts climate resilience front and centre, using SuDS to tackle surface water issues while softening the street edge and bringing nature back into the everyday for the young people that pass through the space every day.
What really makes this project special is the people behind it. From early engagement with pupils at Chillingham Road Primary School to the ongoing stewardship, this has always been about designing with the community, not for it.
Huge credit to Newcastle City Council for guiding the vision, and to the Highways Team for delivering it on the ground — proving what’s possible when design, engineering and community all pull in the same direction.
Small space. Big impact.
