COMMENT: Building a better future for Sunderland

To the optimists, the plans for two new office buildings as part of the Riverside Sunderland development herald another step forward, breathing new life into the city.

While we have no crystal ball to see into the future, we would suggest the optimists should be holding sway.

There was a time when the biggest growth industry on Wearside was the market for artists’ impressions.

All too often, plans for a bright new future got no further than the drawing board.

These days, Sunderland has a canny habit of turning artists’ impressions into reality.

And that we have developments to talk about can only be a positive for the city and its economy.

As we reveal today, plans for two new office buildings on the former Vaux site have been given the stamp of approval by councillors.

These developments, given a fair wind, will go ahead. Building is already earmarked for 2021. There are plenty of areas in the country who would welcome this kind of work on its doorstep.

In a report to councillors, city planners said the scheme is set to make a “significant and positive contribution to townscape character and will become a significant development in the city”.

“It is considered that the application proposal represents a key element of the continued development of Vaux and will bring significant economic benefits and substantial inward investment into the area, city centre and wider city region.”

Here’s hoping the optimists continue to hold sway for some time to come.