Historic Sunderland sports club says survival hangs on housing verdict

Ashbrooke Sports Club has appealed to Sunderland City Council's new planning and highways committee to sign off on a housing development in the Doxford area.

Plans from Homes By Esh for 49 properties off Burdon Road stalled earlier this year following public concerns about the impact of traffic on a nearby cul-de-sac.

Council planners had recommended the housing be approved at a March 30 meeting at City Hall. However, councillors deferred a decision to consider an alternative route to the site.

Vehicular access was originally proposed to the south via a new mini-roundabout junction with The Fold and was deemed acceptable by council highways experts, who added an alternative Burdon Road access had not been explored due to “third party land ownership issues."

Ashbrooke Sports Club, which has a rich history in the city dating back to 1887, owns the site earmarked for housing and previously told councillors the development would help resolve the club's “fiscal issues."

Following the deferral in March, club bosses said they were "incredibly disappointed" with project delays.

With the planning application due to return before the planning and highways committee on Wednesday (June 10), club officials have urged councillors to back the plans.

Ian McConnell, chairman of trustees at Ashbrooke Sports Club, said the housing plan would help clear the club's £500,000 debts and safeguard city sporting provision for decades to come.

“The sale of the land is going to generate much needed revenue for this club when we need it the most,” he said.

“It will clear existing debts, enhance the sporting and leisure facilities, and refurbish the ageing buildings.

“Ashbrooke Sports Club Ltd has been in existence for around 150 years and now supports over 600 full time members from across the area, as well as occasional players and social attendees.

“We have four separate sections at Ashbrooke Sports Club, organising six sports, running over 30 teams, six children's teams, four ladies’ teams and numerous age-linked rugby teams.

“There are social clubs, a physiotherapy business, ladies’ groups, self-help groups, and many social events are also reliant on the club.

“We are a true community asset and play a big part in the lives of so many people.”

Mr McConnell added the club wanted to work with the city council to “progress housing, resultant employment and of course the financial resuscitation of our much-loved club.”

The previous planning and highways committee which deferred the housing plan suggested exploring a western access to the site across third party land not owned by the applicant, and linked to housebuilder Taylor Wimpey.

Council planning officers are still recommending the unchanged 49-home Esh scheme, with a southern access, for approval.

The council committee report also noted the housing plans, if approved, would secure financial contributions under the section 106 process, with developer cash going towards education, offsite play and more.

The planning and highways committee will discuss the plans on Wednesday at 5.30pm.