Plans scrapped for new 520-space car park at Doxford International Business Park

Sunderland City Council leaders have scrapped plans for a major new car park near Doxford International Business Park.

The council formally submitted proposals for a new facility with space for up to 520 vehicles near the site at Doxford International Business Park in July last year.

But the scheme has now been shelved following opposition over the loss of green space and concerns for future need in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

A city council spokesman said: “The city council recognises that Covid-19 has led to a temporary short-term and possibly longer-term reduction in demand for parking at Doxford International Business Park and the scheme has been withdrawn until further notice.

“The site is identified in the Unitary Development Plan for future development.”

According to local authority spending plans, £2.2 million had previously been allocated for the scheme.

Of this, £125,000 was earmarked to be spent last year (2020/21) and a further £200,000 this financial year (2021/22).

The proposals had called for land between Silksworth Road and the B1286 City Way to be developed, with access to the site from City Way.

Families living near the major employment park have frequently complained in recent years about workers at the business park leaving their vehicles in residential areas.

But the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, which has seen thousands across Wearside working from home or furloughed, has led the city council to conclude the extra parking spaces are no longer necessary.

Planning permission grants successful applicants the right to begin construction within three years of approval being granted.

Local authority bosses have not ruled out re-submitting the proposals in the future.

Meanwhile, the decision has been praised by opponents such as Conservative councillor Dominic McDonough, who previously called the scheme ‘short sighted and environmental vandalism’.

He added: “I’m absolutely delighted that our campaign has made the council see sense and I would like to say a huge thank you to the over 40 people who signed the petition to stop this going ahead.

“It’s a victory for common sense, we fought hard and we’ve managed to save our green space.”

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