Housing boost as 600 homes plan submitted

SIGNIFICANT plans to construct up to 600 new homes in Sunderland's Sheepfolds area have made substantial progress, with official plans now submitted.

- CHRIS BINDING

Sunderland City Council has lodged an application with its own planning department for the Sheepfolds Industrial Estate land, which is slated for a major overhaul as part of regeneration initiatives.

The Riverside Sunderland urban regeneration scheme encompasses a new pedestrian bridge over the River Wear linking Sheepfolds to the nearly completed former Vaux site, alongside enhancements to roads and footpaths, cycle routes and new public spaces.

Housing proposals for the Sheepfolds area have been in the pipeline for some time, with the phased dismantling of old industrial units already in progress on the site in preparation for development.

CGI images have previously been unveiled, providing a glimpse into how the new residential community might appear.

In recent months, Sunderland City Council revealed that Vistry Group would be the chosen developer for the new residential community at Sheepfolds, potentially housing up to 600 new homes, in addition to new commercial and community spaces, as part of council strategies to increase the city centre’s population.