Gentoo submits new application for 84 homes after previous bid was refused by Sunderland councillors

The Sunderland-based group has updated its plans for the development at Cragdale Gardens, Hetton, to address concerns raised by residents over loss of green space, as well as new buildings overlooking existing properties in the area.

In January, proposals for 86 affordable houses, bungalows and apartments on land at Cragdale Gardens were also turned down.

Planning officers at Sunderland City Council had recommended the approval of proposals for 86 affordable houses, bungalows and apartments, but their insistence of the scheme’s ‘clear benefit’ and the added benefit of almost £400,000 towards education, play and other outdoor facilities was not enough to convince decision makers.

Washington Central councillor Len Lauchlan said at a meeting of the council’s Planning and Highways Committee on January 19: “The loss of green space is the fundamental reason for refusing this application.

“One of the reasons I’m unhappy about this is that planners and developers seem to be able to buy their way into using green space.”

Now Gentoo has revised plans for Cragdale Gardens to include “a higher number of bungalows on the scheme to reduce the visual impact of the development and increase the provision of accessible housing”.

The latest proposals reduce the number of new homes from 86 to 84 two, three and four-bedroom houses and apartments. Boundary treatments and gates are also included to help prevent access from off-road vehicles and reduce anti-social behaviour in the area.

Gentoo say that if approved the development would contribute over £200,000 in “Section 106” payments to Sunderland City Council.

A Section 106 is a legal agreement between an applicant and local planning authority, used to mitigate the impact of new homes on the local community.

Joanne Gordon, development director at Gentoo, said: “We are absolutely committed to increasing the supply and accessibility of affordable housing in Sunderland through the construction of high-quality new homes for rent and shared ownership.

“We’re confident that these revised proposals address the concerns of local residents in relation to the original application and deliver a variety of spacious and flexible homes which address the housing needs of local people.”

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