100 new homes set to be built on playing fields at former Sunderland College site after council agrees land sale

Playing fields at a former Sunderland College campus  site could be turned into 100 homes following a decision by council bosses.

The former Hylton Campus, on North Hylton Road, closed down in 2016, with students moving to a new £29million base opposite Park Lane bus station.

This week, Sunderland City Council’s cabinet agreed to dispose of two acres of council-owned land on the Hylton Castle site.

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Under the plans, the former playing fields are expected to be developed by Karbon Homes Limited.

Any development on the site will be subject to planning permission with the price of the disposal to be agreed between the council and the developer.

These terms will be set by the council’s executive director of economy and place in consultation with deputy council leader Michael Mordey and cabinet secretary Paul Stewart.

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Council leader Graeme Miller speaking at Sunderland Civic Centre, welcomed the decision.

“I’m very pleased this has come forward this quickly,” he said.

“On a personal note, my son went to the college and got his catering qualification which put him on his career to be a chef.

“It was with some sadness that I saw the college close and move to better premises.

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“I’m delighted to see that the site is going to deliver a mixture of housing styles and improve the overall housing quality in north Sunderland which is much-needed.”

The council currently owns 23% of the site, with City of Sunderland College owning the remaining land – currently containing derelict educational buildings.

A council report, prepared for the cabinet, states new plans will “secure further inward investment in the city”, regenerate a brownfield site and release the council from ongoing security and maintenance costs.

It adds Sunderland College and council have “agreed to work in partnership in the disposal of their respective interests at North Hylton Road to maximise the redevelopment potential of the site.”

Chris Binding, Local Democracy Reporting Service