Former Sunderland school site could be turned into 40-home estate

A former school site in Sunderland could be transformed into a 40-home estate under plans by council bosses.

Next week, Sunderland City Council’s cabinet will be asked to back plans to dispose of land at the former Southwick Primary School site, off Northern Way.

The school closed its doors for good in 2009 as pupils made the move to a state-of-the-art building in nearby Shakespeare Street.

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If approved by city leaders, the 4.2-acre site will be transferred to the Bernicia Group for residential development of 40 new homes.

A cabinet report states the disposal will help secure investment in the city, “regenerate a significant brownfield site”, increase council tax income and reduce security / maintenance costs.

The land will also be disposed at a price which is “best reasonably obtainable”, the report adds,  with the sum agreed by council officers and the cabinet secretary at a later date.

As part of the proposals, an existing park on the north of the site will be moved to the east to allow access for the new homes.

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With the Bernicia Group securing a Homes England grant, affordable homes are expected to be built on the site, subject to planning permission being granted.

Sunderland City Council’s cabinet will discuss the site on Wednesday, January 16 at Sunderland Civic Centre.

The meeting starts at 2pm and for more information, visit: www.sunderland.gov.uk

Former Southwick Primary School site, Sunderland Picture: Google

Chris Binding , Local Democracy Reporting Service