Online voices

Plans in for new ‘studio apartments’ in historic Sunderland building on Frederick Street.

David Robert Hann: It's a start.Need more flats to be built in the town to attract young middle class people together with the right infrastructure to attract them. Only by doing this will Sunderland rid itself of it's dowdiness.

Steven Spoors: David Robert Hann sounds class except for one thing. What young middle class demographic in Sunderland are you referring to? I keep hearing about this mythical group of 'young professionals'. Everytime there's an article about flats in Sunderland there's always a mention of this rarely spotted affluent bunch of young go getters. I hope your proved right mind.

Che Thornton: Steven Spoors these kips won't necessarily be for sale. In fact most of them are for rent. My brother owns a block in Frederick Street and its full of people who work in the City Centre.

Steven Spoors: Che Thornton I'm all for it. Somethings gotta be done with them. I just find the whole 'young middle class professional affluent hip happening go getting movers and shakers' tag that usually gets attached to these developments wearisome.

Nicola Ian Parkin: Let’s hope it ain’t another promise by the council that never transpired!! Pallion shipyard a new film studio!!! We still wait…

Phill James: Nicola Ian Parkin what promises haven’t transpired,

I’m watching a huge development going up infront of our very eyes, the scale of the City centre and sheepfolds projects are bigger than anything I ever thought we would see in Sunderland

Glenn Jones: Nicola Ian Parkin What promise by the council? Its an application for planning permission. It may well be turned down as HMOs often are these days

Che Thornton: This is exactly what's needed in streets like this. There's too many shops in the City Centre. We need more people living, working and socialising in the City Centre. That's the only way it will thrive.

Phyllis Reay: Great we can put the refugees in them cos they need better places to live