Have your say on Sunderland seafront plans

Seaburn needs you!
Seaburn seafrontSeaburn seafront
Seaburn seafront

Developer Siglion is urging people to sign up for the chance to have their say on its plans for Sunderland seafront.

The regeneration company is seeking views on its masterplan for the redevelopment of a large site at Seaburn, based on a mix of housing and leisure use and featuring a wide central boulevard.

Katie SullyKatie Sully
Katie Sully
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The plans have proved controversial, with a “Save Seaburn” group set up by locals who claim the development will ruin the character of the area.

Now Siglion is to hold a series of meetings at which people will be able to air their views on the proposals.

The company wants to hear what people from across Wearside want to see in the way of leisure uses; the overall look and character of the buildings created and some of the activities they would like to see on site during the redevelopment process, to draw more people down to the seafront.

Siglion development director Katie Sully, who is leading the transformation of Seaburn, said: “We have outline plans to reinvigorate Seaburn and create almost 100,000 sq ft of indoor leisure space on site, which is equivalent to a football pitch and nine tennis courts.

Artist's impression of how Siglion would improve Cut Throat Dene in Seaburn.Artist's impression of how Siglion would improve Cut Throat Dene in Seaburn.
Artist's impression of how Siglion would improve Cut Throat Dene in Seaburn.
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“That’s a huge expanse of space, and we would love to work with the people of Sunderland to help shape our thinking on the type of leisure they’d like to see, as well as the look and feel of the buildings they would like on-site.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a seafront that we can all be proud of, and that is absolutely our aim. We want the site to serve the community, and deliver a sustainable development that will be just as relevant and popular in 20 years’ time as it will on the day it opens.

“That relies on interaction with local people, who will effectively become customers of the businesses that base themselves there and we’d love to hear the community’s views.”

Siglion is planning to hold a series of small sessions, with a limited number of places per group, and will use their valuable feedback to shape the development of the site, which it is hoped will be given the green light over the next few months.

How Cut Throat Dene could lookHow Cut Throat Dene could look
How Cut Throat Dene could look
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The plan is to create a mixed-use site, with indoor and outdoor leisure facilities, as well as new housing to help bring more footfall to the area.

The seafront planning sessions will run during the day, and evenings, to ensure that those who want to take part, but who have work commitments, are able to make it along and have their say.

“We know people in the city are keen to see the area regenerated, and we want to work with them to make this development the best it can be,” said Katie Sully.

“We look forward to engaging really positively to deliver a seaside that people in the city and beyond will want to visit and enjoy.”

To register your interest to take part in the sessions, email [email protected] or book online by visiting shapingsunderland.com and using the link on the latest Seaburn blog.