New affordable homes to be built on site of former Sunderland school

Plans to bring the homes – a mixture of bungalows and two, three and four-bedroom houses – to the former Southwick Primary School site in the city have been approved by Sunderland City Council.

The multi-million pound development is by housing association Bernicia, with part of the funding for the project coming from Homes England.

Homes will be available both to rent and for shared ownership.

Michael Farr, Bernicia executive director of assets and growth, said: “Our aim is to provide quality, well-designed new homes local people need and deserve at rents and purchase prices they can afford.

“We know this is an important location in Southwick with real significance to the local community. and there is a strong demand from local people for high quality homes to be built there.

“Our homes will be ideal for a range of people looking to rent or purchase including young families, older people looking to downsize as well as first-time buyers trying to get onto the property ladder.”

Work is expected to begin at the housing site on Northern Way in September.

A poll of children and parents at the current Southwick Primary School found that Alice Gardens was the most popular name choice for the new homes scheme out of three suggestions, inspired by the city’s links to Lewis Carroll.

The proposed name will be submitted to the council for approval in due course.

Councillor Rebecca Atkinson, Cabinet Member for Dynamic City at the council added: “I’m delighted to see this development going ahead, paving the way for much needed affordable homes for rent in Southwick.

"This complements the work the city council is doing in partnership with local housing providers like Bernicia, to increase and speed up the supply of affordable and supported homes in the city to meet the needs of our communities.”

Bernicia is also contributing books to the primary school’s library as a thank-you for families’ input in naming the scheme.

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