Meadows site set to bloom

It’s always pleasing to report on new developments in the city – and if they will be creating jobs, even better.

Today we feature the news that a massive £18million retail and leisure development has been planned for the Rainton Meadows areaof Houghton – which will create about 375 new jobs.

The new site is part of the transformation of the Rainton Meadows Arena site.

The site of the arena, built in 1992 and formerly an indoor cricket venue, as part of the McEwans Centre, could see the creation of a supermarket and shopping complex.

Developer Roseberry Leisure says stores such as Aldi, Home Bargains, Costa Coffee and Pets at Home have already committed to opening units.

But the development will not result in the end of a venue in the area. For a new one will be built several hundred yards away. The new arena could accommodate up to 1,400 people and would also have hundreds of parking spaces.

The new scheme has been in the making for a number of years, says Michael Roseberry of Roseberry Leisure – and it is hoped it could generate 250,000 visitors to the area a year.

The scheme has been backed by the North East England Chamber of Commerce chief executive James Ramsbotham, who says it could be a success for the whole region;

The business hub at Rainton Bridge has already proven successful with dozens of firms and thousands of workers at the site. This development would be in an ideal location to service the thousands of people nearby.

The scheme goes before Sunderland Council planners next week. Let’s hope that the plans are suitable and get the green light.