Development could pave the way to bring new Metro connection
A sustainable new community that will bring with it the aspiration for a Metro connection to Washington is set to move forward, after winning support from city leaders.
Plans to create a new lowc a rb o n h ou s i n g d e ve l o p - ment east of Washington are outlined within Sunderland City Council’s Allocations and Designations Plan (ADP) and a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for Washington Meadows.
The proposals were presented to the council’s ruling cabinet last week ahead of formal public consultation and aim to allocate land to create a ‘sustainable urban extension to Washington.’
Along with the Washingto n M ead ows re s i d e nt i a l community, the city council is seeking to ringfence a further area of land that could pave the way for construction of a new Metro station – a move that could see the area connected into the Tyne and Wear overground system for the first time.
The Metro connection, which is subject to future funding and decision-making, would ensure that the n ew d eve l o p m e nt , a l o n g with existing communities in Washington, are well served by transport links into the wider region.
Councillor Rebecca Atkinson, cabinet member for Dynamic City, said: “Two significant areas of focus for us
as a council are low carbon and sustainable housing development, and these propos
als will deliver against both agendas, as well as bringing with them the opportunity to bolster connections into Washington.
“We know that Washington is a well-established destination of choice for families, and Washington Meadows will build on that, delivering homes with high standards of sustainability and design quality and providing a range of supporting facilities to help foster a strong sense of community.”
She added: “We want to build low-carbon communities, where people are able to live in green homes, use shared transport to reduce their carbon footprint, and lead fulfilled lives in a way that is kind to the planet.
“The ADP will support aspirations to extend the Metro line to Washington and improve access to public transport allowing local people to move easily – and sustainably – around Tyne and Wear. It’s an exciting step forward.”