Major housing development plan submitted for Sunderland's riverside
Sunderland City Council has received a planning application for the site
by Chris Binding · ChronicleLiveProposals have been lodged for a significant new housing scheme on Sunderland's riverside, with the public being invited to voice their opinions. .
The Planning Department at Sunderland City Council has received plans for a parcel of land at Farringdon Row, which is seen as a pivotal site in the city centre's redevelopment and has been waiting over ten years for transformation. Located near the recently built Riverside Sunderland multi-storey car park, the site also neighbours the future Riverside Park situated within the larger Riverside Sunderland regeneration project.
Placefirst, the rental development company, has previously held consultations regarding the 165-home development and has now sealed a deal with Sunderland City Council to bring to life the neighbourhood envisaged. The lodging of the planning application is a major step for this housing initiative, and interested parties can now scrutinise the designs and supplementary details through the council's online planning portal.
A formal consultation phase is currently underway courtesy of the council, providing an opportunity for residents to submit their thoughts on the project, with a verdict anticipated by the end of the year.
Placefirst highlights that the project aims to create a "high-quality residential neighbourhood" that features 67 houses and 98 apartments, nestled amid open green areas, forming part of the expansive Riverside Sunderland Masterplan.
The variety of accommodations proposed includes one-and-two-bedroom flats, along with houses ranging from two to three bedrooms, all designated for long-term leasing. The Farringdon Row location offers scenic views across the River Wear and Riverside Park.
The properties are designed to meet the EPC ‘A’ rating, ensuring high standards of energy-efficiency that make them more eco-friendly and cost-effective. If approved, some homes will boast private gardens, while communal gardens will also be a feature of the development.
A planning statement submitted to the council reveals that the site "historically formed part of the Sunderland Power Station site but has been disused since the power station's closure in the late 1970s and its subsequent demolition". It was also highlighted that Farringdon Row "forms part of a wider riverside area that was historically the industrial hub of the city but has been in decline since the shipyards closed".
The new plans propose a variety of house types including "terraced and detached units, as well as four, six-storey apartment blocks", which would be "interspersed with green space and communal gardens". Additionally, a cliff top walkway is proposed around the eastern edge of the site facing towards the river and Wearmouth Bridge.
Of the 67 houses proposed, there would be five different house types and 11 of the houses would include ground floor apartments. The remaining apartments would be located across "four six-storey blocks including communal cycle storage and a management suite".
Plans also include the creation of a new vehicular access from Farringdon Row, new pedestrian links, publicly-accessible green space and informal play areas, drainage improvements and new landscaping.
The ground floor of an apartment block at the heart of the site will house a management suite, which will "act as Placefirst’s community hub which will accommodate a full-time resident services manager".
The planning statement highlights that the development is a "build-to-rent" (BTR) scheme and would "not include any affordable housing", due to the "significant challenge" of financial viability in delivering housing on a "constrained brownfield site".
Despite the absence of affordable housing, the proposal will positively contribute to the delivery of housing choice within the city. As a managed BTR scheme, it will provide high-quality family homes for long-term occupancy, offering security to those who may otherwise struggle to buy a property.
An independent chartered surveyor has conducted a viability appraisal in line with policy H2 requirements, demonstrating this in detail. This appraisal is included with the application for council review and verification.
Each house will have one car parking space, with additional visitor parking available. Planning documents state that "70 spaces within the newly-constructed Riverside multi-storey car park will be allocated to serve occupants of the apartments should they wish to apply for this".
The planning statement continues: “The proposal will deliver a new residential neighbourhood to meet identified housing needs, from a leading build-to-rent and regeneration specialist with a proven track record of delivering high-quality, professionally-managed homes in thriving neighbourhoods.
“The design approach responds to the local context and will provide high-quality new homes in a landscaped setting which in combination with a scheme for off-site habitat creation will deliver a substantial net gain in biodiversity.”
Placefirst was the firm behind the ‘Scholars View’ development in Hetton, which created 116 build-to-rent homes.
Graeme Mill, head of design at Placefirst, said plans for Farringdon Row followed a “highly collaborative consultation process with the local community and Sunderland City Council.
“We’re confident that this development meets the rising demand for high-quality secure housing options in Sunderland,” he said.
Councillor Kevin Johnston, cabinet member for business, housing and regeneration at Sunderland City Council, also welcomed the scheme.
“Placefirst is one of the UK’s leading build-to-rent developers, delivering high-quality, well-maintained homes, so I am hopeful that my council colleagues share our ambition to deliver this new, sustainable community in the heart of our ever-transforming city,” he added.
A decision on the plans will be made once a period of council consultation has concluded. Sunderland City Council’s planning department lists a decision deadline of December 26, 2024.
For more information on the planning application or to track its progress, visit the council’s planning portal website and search reference: 24/01984/FU4
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