Green light for conversion of ex-care site into private homes
Proposals to convert a former residential care facility into private homes have been given the green light by city development chiefs.
In December, Sunderland CityCouncil’splanningdepartment validated plans for Westfield Hall off Mowbray Road.
Theapplicationsite,known as Carlton Terrace, is a short terrace of four former Victorian town houses within the AshbrookeConservationArea.
According to planning documents, the building was last occupied by registered charity Education and Services for People with Autism Limited (ESPA) but has been vacant for some time.
New plans from applicant Clearwater Developments Ltd proposed a change of use from a ‘residential institution’ back to four private dwellings.
This included the removal of connecting doorways and openings which previously allowed access through the whole terrace and the reinstatement of walls to create fourself-containedproperties.
A submitted design and access statement claimed the plans would create a development“reminiscentoftheoriginal use of the building”.
During the planning applicationprocess,amendedplans were submitted although the numberofdwellingsproposed remained unchanged.
Afterconsideringtheapplication and assessing it against planning policies, the planning department approved
thehousingschemethisweek.
Councilplannersfoundthe scheme acceptable in terms of
highway safety, impacts on neighbours and ecology, subject to conditions.
On heritage impacts, planners said the scheme demonstrateda“sensitiveapproachto the conservation and conversionofthehistoricterrace”and would secure the future of the building in a “long-term beneficial use”.
Councilplannersaddedthe benefits of the scheme included the “historic layout being largelyreinstated,existingfeatures retained, and some lost features reinstated such as the staircase to one of the houses”.
A planning decision report adds: “The proposals will conserve and return an historic terrace back into its original residential use in a manner that will sustain its significance and ensure its conservation into the future.
“The scheme will conserve andenhancethecharacterand significance of the Ashbrooke ConservationAreaandsettings of surrounding listed buildings”.