Scheme to transform city centre approved
Major schemes aiming to transform Sunderland city centre have been given the green light by councillors.
Sunderland City Council’s Planning and Highways (East) Committee approved three planning applications this week linked to the council’s Riverside Sunderland regeneration project.
This included a new highlevel pedestrian and cycle bridge across the River Wear, a multi-storey car park and new homesonlandoverlookingthe riverside.
The £31million ‘smart bridge’willconnecttheformer Vaux Brewery site to Sheepfolds,providingimprovedlinks totheStadiumofLight,university facilities and residential communities to the north of the river.
It will also feature creative lighting and augmented reality allowing people to use their smartphonestoseevirtualdisplays.
The residential scheme ‘Vaux Housing’ aims to create a new sustainable community which is due to be completed in 2023 in time for the SunderlandFutureLivingExpo,apublic event that will showcase a new way of city living.
Atotalof132propertieswill be built using modern methods of construction with a mix of91housesand41apartments andavarietyofamenityspaces, including a community allotment known as ‘Kingsley Gardens’.
Meanwhile, the third application will see a multi-storeycarparkbuiltatFarringdon Row to cater for the increased number of people living and working in the city centre.
Alongside providing 650 spaces and cycle provision, the building will feature an eye-catching design, colourful lights and a ’living wall’ with a full irrigation system.
The three schemes were passed at a planning hearing on Monday, which was held via videolink and broadcast on YouTube.
Following consultation on the Riverside Sunderland housingapplication,concerns wereraisedbymembersofthe public about the impact on the sewerage network.
Objectors said there was not enough storage capacity in the network and called for a full independent review of the
sewerage treatment system.
But a report presented to the planning committee said that,ontheevidenceprovided, “officers do not consider there is any justification for refusing this application on foul water grounds[or]toseekfurtherindependent appraisal”.
During discussion on the proposed city bridge, it was alsorevealedthatseveraldesigns are being considered for protective barriers, or parapets.
Some options take inspirationfromWearside’sindustrial past, while another option includes a simple railing composition.
Councillor Denny Wilson
suggested that the bridge should make a statement and warned designers about “lettingthepastdesignourfuture.”
He added: “I do fight for Sunderland’s heritage and there’s loads of evidence there to show that, but we have got loads of developments coming to this city that keep referencing back to our past.
“We’re not a shipbuilding town now, the coal mines are shut and the glass, it’s all gone.
“This bridge really is an opportunity to be spectacular.”
Followingplanningapprovalthisweek,thedevelopments are set for completion during the first half of 2023.