GREEN & BLUE INFRASTRUCTURE
LEEDS PLAYHOUSE
GATEWAY COURT
This stunning public space is part
of the Leeds Playhouse and Leeds
City College improvement scheme,
which links the two buildings and
draws in the city centre, overlooking
the new Victoria Centre by Eastgate
roundabout. The new green area is
just one part of Leeds’ bid to become
the European Capital of Culture for
2023.
The one-acre triangular site, invites
connections between the city
centre and the main entrance of the
Playhouse and campus. Rising 6m
in height from Eastgate roundabout,
fully accessible routes are created
by a series of shallow ramps,
winding their way through pleasant
lawned banks, and relaxing seating
areas, situated to capture the best
of the sun. Low level shrub planting
and semi-mature trees add to the
calming space.
Green-tech involvement:
All of the trees within the
landscaped area of Gateway Court
are in soft landscaping, situated in
either beds or lawned areas. The
trees are stabilised by using Green-
tech’s Contact 10 strap anchor
system. Far superior and neater
than traditional belt and stakes,
the kit features wide strapping to
prevent damage to the root ball,
with a ratchet tensioner to allow
adjustment while levelling, and a
final tight, secure hold.
To ensure adequate water is
delivered to the trees roots during
the critical early establishment
years, each tree was fitted with
Green-tech’s Mona Relief ring. A
robust, perforated pipe sits around
the root ball and, via a capped filler
pipe, provides a cost effective, easy
to use irrigation solution.
Terram Rootguard root barrier was
also supplied. Manufactured from
polypropylene fibres, it is resistant
to biodegradation and is ideal for
keeping roots away from paving and
service lines.
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www.landud.co.uk
Jordan Webster – Green-tech
Key Account Manager comments,
“Gateway Court is in a key part of
Leeds, highly visible to shoppers,
commuters, students and theatre-
goers. Both architect and contractor
have done a fantastic job, turning
what was a grey, hard landscaped
area into a green oasis in the middle
of the city.”
Ricky Whiteman - Gavin Jones Ltd
– Head of Estimating North added,
“Once again, it was a pleasure to
work with Green-tech. The guys fully
appreciate that projects are often
a moving feast, and it is nice to use
a supplier that we can rely on to
deliver things when and where we
need them.”
www.green-tech.co.uk
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