Plans have been approved for a new blood donation centre in Sunderland city centre to support essential medical care across the region.

The development will see part of the Faber Building, behind City Hall, transformed into a dedicated facility where people can donate blood and plasma.

Once operational, it will support the collection of vital blood components for patients needing life-saving treatment and is expected to welcome dozens of donors every day.

The proposals, submitted earlier this year, involve converting part of the Faber Building’s ground floor from office space to a healthcare use, along with minor alterations to the entrance.

A blood donation centre is to be created in the centre of Sunderland.

placeholder image — A blood donation centre is to be created in the centre of Sunderland.

Applicant Sunderland Vaux 1 Limited said the plans would “contribute to the strengthening of regional healthcare infrastructure and support the ongoing provision of essential medical treatments in the area”.

Visitors are expected to spend between 20 and 90 minutes at the centre and based on peak demand, the facility will accommodate “no more than 56 individuals at any one time during a peak hour (typically on a Saturday), comprising both donors and staff”.

A planning statement said the facility would include eight appraisal rooms used for brief pre-donation checks, before donors would proceed to an open- plan donation area where blood or plasma donation would take place.

The blood donation centre will be able to accommodate up to 21 staff at any one time.

In terms of parking, applicants stressed the site would be a “car-free development” and said visitors and staff would have access to nearby public car parks.

Sunderland City Council’s planning department approved the plans, saying the principle of healthcare use at the site was acceptable.

Council planners added that the impact of the proposal on residential and visual amenity and highway and pedestrian safety was also acceptable, and noted the site sits within a city centre parking zone where parking can be relaxed.

The council decision report goes on: “The proposed site has good links to public transport, with the rail and Metro station within close walking proximity.

“The proposals are not expected to result in a material increase in highway safety risk, nor would they have a severe residual impact on the operation of the local highway network.”