Readers have mixed views on stadium village scheme
MASTERPLAN TO BE DISCUSSED BY COUNCIL CABINET NEXT WEEK
An ambitious vision to create a sports and leisure village around the Stadium of Light has certainly proved to be a real talking point among Echo readers.
The Stadium Village Masterplan describes a vision for new sporting facilities – that could include a velodrome, ice arena and indoor climbing wall – as well as a new conference arena, hotel, restaurants and bars on land close to the home of Sunderland AFC.
Other suggestions in the draft document, which will be discussed by the city’s council cabinet next week, include 200 new homes, a creative business hub and landscaped parkland.
It is hoped private investment will fund the developments on the former Wearmouth Colliery site and neighbouring Sheepfolds industrial area, which could be completed by 2030.
Government funding programmes and Sunderland City Council’s capital programmes are also suggested.
Differing views on the detailed proposals were given b y readers on our Facebook page. Thomas Howe wrote: “This would be amazing for the city, it’s crying out or something like that other next o the SoL! The site is currently a dump and we need to attract visitors!
“We have thousands of people come from all the country to watch their teams and they come for the match but hardly ever come back!
“Stuff like this development would change this.”
Neil Campion wrote: “Great plans if they ever come off.
“I really don’t get housing though, especially bungalows.
“Bungalows are typically for retired people who would not want to be near here.
“It’s also a waste of pace which could allow for ALL of the great suggested ideas to really fit in and be top-class facilities.”
Christopher Barker added: “Sounds great, let’s hope it gets done quicker than the Vaux site.
“And hopefully all our historic buildings get looked after too!”
Chris Hall added: “This would be utterly fantastic for that area and the city. I hope someone takes them up on the plans.”
Vicki Dawson wrote: “I would love an ice rink in Sunderland!”
Charlie Summerbell added: “Good to see some ambition and some plans for housing on brownfield land rather than the greenbelt. Looking forward to seeing something happen.”
Others were less convinced, however.
Shaun Keelan wrote: “The stadium is already looking dwarfed by the new hotel and building being built.
“Sunderland’s answer to improvement seems to just be building huge things that stick out like a sore thumb.”
Joyc alley wrote: “More fantastic plans that will probably never happen.
“We have seen lots of plans in the past that never went past the planning stage.”
Heather Addison added: “Put it in the town centre – it will make a difference to student flats.
“This should have been on the Vaux site.”
The plans are set to go out to public consultation.
The report will be discussed by the council’s cabinet meeting in committee room one of the Civic Centre on Wednesday at 2pm.