Jobs boost as business seeks Sunderland City Council permission to open new premises

Sunderland City Council’s planning department has received an application for a building at 11 Walton Road, within the Pattinson North industrial area, in Washington.

The plans, from applicant John Davidson (Pipes), are seeking permission to change the use of the premises to storage and distribution.

Supporting planning documents from the applicant state the plan also includes “minor alterations to the existing office building to provide a trade counter and ancillary staff facilities on the ground floor”.

It was noted that the site was previously used as a construction company yard and that the proposed development would provide storage areas on the existing hardstanding with no new permanent structures proposed.

John Davidson (Pipes) is described in planning documents as “the UK’s leading distributor of civils and drainage products” and has been in business since 1972.

It was noted that the Washington site outlined in the planning application would support employment for eight staff, including three HGV drivers, and enable the firm to “establish operational activities at this location”.

The supporting statement adds: “The proposal will not result in any unacceptable impacts on the amenity of neighbouring occupiers, biodiversity and geodiversity interests, or the operation of the local highway network.

“The site benefits from established access arrangements and is well located within an existing industrial area, where the proposed use is compatible with surrounding land uses.

“The development will support employment opportunities within Sunderland and enable the continued growth of an established UK business from a suitable employment location.”

A decision on the plan is expected following a consultation.