How houses on Sunderland Civic Centre site will look as plans for 275 homes after demolition unveiled

Hundreds of homes including affordable housing will be built on the site of Sunderland Civic Centre as city leaders confirmed the developer likely to be tasked with creating a new city community.

By Fiona Thompson

Published 16th Mar 2021, 11:00 BST

Updated 16th Mar 2021, 12:04 BST

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Vistry Partnerships North East is the preferred developer for the land in Burdon Road, which will be vacated by Sunderland City Council later this year when it moves to the City Hall on the former Vaux site.

The authority said the firm submitted the strongest bid for the plot, with its cabinet expected to approve the conditional sale next week.

See Sunderland's new City Hall rise into skyline on old Vaux site

The proposals for the site are expected to feature around 275 homes, along with landscaping and pathways to link up areas of the city centre.

The proposals for the site are expected to feature around 275 homes, along with landscaping and pathways to link up areas of the city centre.

The council said as well as offering the best value, Vistry’s proposal most closely aligned with its vision and aspirations for the site, where its headquarters were built in the late 1960s.

It will feature around 275 one to four-bedroomed homes, including a significant amount of affordable housing, with many offering views across Mowbray Park.

The estate will include amenity space and pedestrian and multi-user links to the city centre, Ashbrooke and Mowbray Park, with sales to go through Vistry’s, Linden Homes.

The proposals feature the recreation of Saint George’s Square, bombed during the Second World War and lost to redevelopment in the 1960s – with the Grade II listed Saint George’s House its focal point.

Artist's impressions have revealed what the new housing development on Burdon Road could look like.

Artist's impressions have revealed what the new housing development on Burdon Road could look like.

Council leader Councillor Graeme Miller said: “Its position, among a prestigious residential community, means that when this site is developed out, it will deliver a stunning new place to live that increases city centre population and footfall, supporting the daytime and evening economy.

"We’re looking forward to seeing this site transformed into an attractive place to live, and playing its part in driving the development of a more dynamic, prosperous city centre, bringing more spending power into the heart of Sunderland.”

Sunderland Civic Centre will be knocked down as the council moves into the City Hall site.

Sunderland Civic Centre will be knocked down as the council moves into the City Hall site.

It is expected that – if the sale is approved – Vistry will submit a planning application in late autumn and demolition of the civic could start in early 2022.

Sean Egan, managing director with Vistry Partnerships North East, added: "It will be a fantastic new inclusive neighbourhood with its own distinctive character, providing a new housing offer on the edge of Ashbrooke and Mowbray Park whilst benefiting from the close proximity to the city centre.”

The civic redevelopment is part of plans to build more than 7,000 new homes across the city by 2030.

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Sunderland Civic Centre's rundown car park will go as part of the site's clearance.

Sunderland Civic Centre's rundown car park will go as part of the site's clearance.

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