Good to see common sense - readers react to agreement between SAFC and Council over housing development
Good to see common sense and a compromise reached was the general consensus of Echo readers responding to news that an agreement had been reached between SAFC and the City Council over a proposed new housing development near to the Stadium of Light.
Black Cats owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus confirmed the club had lodged a formal objection to the initial plans for 450 new homes near the Sheepfolds site which he said could have “catastrophic operational consequences” for the club and the Stadium of Light.
The club said the original plans would also have prevented scope for expansion of the stadium.
However, the club and council have both agreed on a revised plan for the 450 home development which now has the inclusion of a larger “buffer zone” around the stadium to allow club operations to continue and any future expansion of the stadium.
A club spokesperson yesterday confirmed they are now “looking forward to seeing the proposals progress through the planning process”.
Following the news, Echo reader Matty Erskine said: “It’s good to see a common sense compromise between the club and the council as it’s in everyone's best interests.”
Steve Hind added: “They were always going to reach an agreement on this.”
Gerard Tommy simply said: “brilliant”, followed by thumbs up emojis.
With the Black Cats currently riding high in the Premier League and playing in-front of sell-out crowds, a number of readers now hope the club presses ahead with expanding the Stadium.
The club has already submitted a pre-application notification for the re-development and extension of the South Stand.
Barry Ross said: “If we stop in the Premier League this season and next season then the club should develop the south stand to make it a 55,000 capacity.”
Brett David Redmayne replied: “Developing the east stand to me would make more sense to host bigger events outside of football.”
On the prospect of new houses being located near the stadium, Chris Hughes said: “I live over the road from the stadium. If you don’t like noise, don’t live here - simple.”