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Vaux site deal done
An end to the long-running Vaux site wrangle could be near after Tesco agreed to sell the land to One NorthEast.
Agreement has now been made in principle for the Regional Development Agency to buy the site from owners Tesco to develop the former brewery site into a thriving business district.
Coun Paul Watson, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: "I'm pleased to announce that Tesco has signed an agreement in principle to transfer ownership of the Vaux site to One NorthEast.
"This is a significant step forward in the redevelopment of this key strategic site. It has been achieved as a result of lengthy, but very productive negotiations, between the city council, its partners and Tesco.
"The development of the site is still some way off and it's vital for Sunderland's future prosperity that we get it right.
"I am confident that I can rely on all elected members in Sunderland City Council to continue to give their commitment and support the redevelopment of the Vaux site, for the benefit of the whole city and region."
Tesco has confirmed it will now focus on its plans to build a supermarket at Sunderland Retail Park, Roker.
The supermarket giant is expected to submit a revised planning application for this major investment in the near future.
Doug Wilson, corporate affairs manager for Tesco, said: "We have been working closely with Sunderland City Council and other public sector bodies to resolve the status of the Vaux site and this agreement reflects a new spirit of partnership between us.
"Tesco remains committed to making a major investment into the city and today's announcement is a significant step towards making this happen."
Business bosses across the city have today welcomed the news but warned work may not start on the site for some time.
David Walker, chief executive of Sunderland arc, added: "This landmark deal will enable us to push forward with our plans for a new business district that will bring more jobs and spend into the city.
"This, in turn, will drive the demand for hotels, homes, shops and leisure across the city centre.
"We will continue to work with the private sector on how we can progress development on this site during the challenging economic climate."
Janet Johnson, the city council's deputy chief executive, said: "Tesco's agreement to the release of the Vaux site is an important step.
"However, we must be mindful of the current economic climate and in meantime people must understand that there might be no movement on site in the immediate future."
The agreed sale price of the site is not being revealed by any of the parties as it is commercially sensitive information.
VAUX - THE SAGA SO FAR
VAUX – a word once associated with Wearside pride, but now more likely to invoke frustration and anger from residents across the city and beyond.
The site became home to the family brewing company in 1837 and went on to become one of Sunderland's biggest employers.
However, when the business closed 162 years later after a management buyout to save the firm failed, the site became redundant as its workers.
The last official day of trade in July 1999, with demolition, and little else, following in 2001.
The land has gone on to become the centre of a planning row between regeneration company Sunderland Arc and Tesco, which bought the site but has been blocked from building a store due to planning rules.
In June 2007, the supermarket launched a legal challenge to the Department for Communities and Local Government's decision to back Arc's proposals for the site, which could create 3,200 jobs and include offices, homes, hotels and shops.
The outline planning permission for the masterplan had been granted by the Secretary of State three months earlier and endorsed by Sunderland Council under its Unitary Development Plan the following October.
Earlier this month, images were released of what a Tesco store at Roker Retail Park could look like, and what it would offer Wearsiders, if given the go-ahead by planners.
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Tuesday 07 February 2012
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