Development decision pending for substantial housing project in Sunderland
Sunderland is set to begin construction on a new housing scheme, with plans to build 75 social homes in the city centre. The application for these homes was submitted by developer TOWN, and if approved, the properties will be on a site bound by High Street West, Villiers Street, Coronation Street, and Nile Street.
The housing scheme is part of broader regeneration efforts in the city, including the Riverside Sunderland project, which aims to significantly increase city centre housing and population. The project is supported by more than £4m from the government's levelling up fund and is a key element of a 10-year place strategy for the Sunniside area. The goal of the strategy is to grow new and existing creative industries, increase the residential population, and bring under-used buildings and spaces to life.
If approved, the housing scheme would reinstate two streets demolished in the 2000s, which were historically home to printers, cabinet makers, and textile workers. The construction work on the council-owned site could commence later this year, subject to planning permission being granted on Monday.
However, there are concerns about the lack of on-site parking and potential neighbourly disputes due to a large number of vehicles trying to use the limited/restricted parking in the area, raised by Northumbria Police. According to the council planners' report, the car parking for the site is considered acceptable for a city centre-located development, due to nearby car parking and good transport links.
The council's proposals explicitly include building mobility infrastructure to address parking and transportation needs. The region is also investing heavily in sustainable transport, including new bus services, walking and cycling infrastructure, and EV charging points — all efforts that could help alleviate parking pressures on new housing developments.
The housing plans will be discussed by the council's planning and highways committee next week, with the meeting taking place at City Hall at 5.30pm and being open to the public. Meanwhile, legal & General is planning to invest £100m in regenerating Sunderland, as mentioned in a separate article.
[1] Riverside Sunderland plans: https://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/sunderland-news/riverside-sunderland-plans-unveiled-for-600-new-homes-1-9825878 [2] Keel Crossing: https://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/sunderland-news/riverside-sunderland-plans-unveiled-for-600-new-homes-1-9825878 [3] Planning timeline: https://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/sunderland-news/riverside-sunderland-plans-unveiled-for-600-new-homes-1-9825878 [4] Mobility infrastructure: https://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/sunderland-news/riverside-sunderland-plans-unveiled-for-600-new-homes-1-9825878 [5] Sustainable transport: https://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/sunderland-news/riverside-sunderland-plans-unveiled-for-600-new-homes-1-9825878
- The housing scheme in Sunderland, propped up by £4m from the government's levelling up fund, is a part of the city's wider regeneration plan that includes the Riverside Sunderland project, which aims to boost the housing-market and increase the city's population by constructing new homes.
- Legal & General is planning to invest £100m in Sunderland's real-estate, marking an additional investment in the city's housing-market and broader development initiatives.
