Party leaders unite in bid to save the Glass Centre with joint letter to council chief demanding action

Rival political parties have united in a bid to stop the National Glass Centre being demolished, demanding council chiefs finally act on a decision made four months ago.

In an unprecedented show of unity, Labour, the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, Greens and Reform UK have all backed a joint letter urging Sunderland City Council chief executive Patrick Melia to immediately implement an Article 4 Direction that could prevent the University of Sunderland demolishing the landmark building without planning permission.

In March, councillors overwhelmingly backed a motion calling on the university to halt its plans to close and demolish the National Glass Centre, while also requesting an independent review into the building's future.

The motion also called for an Article 4 Direction under the Town and Country Planning Order 2015, removing the university's automatic permitted development rights and forcing it to submit a full planning application before any demolition could take place.

Despite that vote, campaigners say no Article 4 Direction has been issued.

The latest letter, organised by the Campaign to Save the National Glass Centre, has been signed by Liberal Democrat opposition leader Councillor Paul Edgeworth, Labour deputy leader Councillor Brandon Feeley, Sunderland Conservatives leader Dr Antony Mullen, Green Party chairman Dan Sullivan and Reform UK portfolio holder Councillor Andrew Ramsay.

It states: “We're writing to express our deep concern over the lack of timely action by your officers regarding the issuing of an immediate Article 4 Direction and are seeking direct clarification as to when it will be issued.

“The instruction given was to issue an Article 4 Direction and thereby remove the permitted development rights that currently allow the university to demolish the NGC without the democratic scrutiny of a full planning application.

“The new Reform-led council has also given direct instruction to use all tools available to block demolition.

“We don't understand why the clear instructions of our elected representatives have not been enacted.”

Carolyn Basing, chairwoman of the Campaign to Save the National Glass Centre, said: “This is no longer a party-political issue. Representatives from every political party have come together because they believe the democratic decisions made by elected councillors should be respected and implemented.”

A Sunderland City Council spokesperson said officers had been instructed in March to prepare an Article 4 Direction, but stressed any decision had to be supported by robust evidence and comply with legal and planning policy requirements.

The spokesperson said specialist external work was being commissioned to assess whether the legal tests for an Article 4 Direction could be met, with a further report to be presented to council leaders once that work is complete.

The council also confirmed it was aware the university still intended to close the National Glass Centre on July 31 and demolish the building.

It added that separate applications remained under consideration to have the building listed by the government and designated as an Asset of Community Value, while the university has applied to Historic England for a Certificate of Immunity from listing.

The spokesperson added: "Statutory and evidence-based processes are ongoing and it's not appropriate for the city council or any other party to pre-judge the outcome."

The University of Sunderland said its position had not changed.

A spokesperson said it had been more than three years since the closure was announced and, despite discussions with campaign groups and other organisations, no viable proposal had emerged to meet the building's major repair costs or its annual £800,000 operating subsidy.

They added that, with almost 90 per cent of the university's income coming from tuition fees, its priority must remain supporting teaching, research and knowledge exchange.

The university said it would continue to follow the planning process and confirmed the National Glass Centre would close at the end of the month.