Plans lodged for new Sunderland city centre blood donor hub
Plans have been unveiled for a new blood donation centre in Sunderland city centre that would help save lives across the region.
A planning application has been submitted to transform part of the ground floor of the Faber Building, behind City Hall, into a dedicated facility where people can donate blood and plasma.
The centre would support the collection of vital blood components for patients needing life-saving treatment and would welcome dozens of donors each day.
The proposals include converting part of the building from office space to healthcare use, along with minor alterations to the entrance.
The applicant, Sunderland Vaux 1 Limited, say the plans would “contribute to the strengthening of regional healthcare infrastructure and support the ongoing provision of essential medical treatments in the area”.
It was noted that visitors would spend between 20 and 90 minutes at the centre and based on peak demand, the facility would accommodate “no more than 56 individuals at any one time during a peak hour (typically on a Saturday), comprising both donors and staff”.
Details are set out in a planning statement submitted to council officials, whch says the building’s internal layout would be reconfigured to support the healthcare use, including a dedicated waiting area.
The facility, if approved, would include eight appraisal rooms used for brief pre-donation checks, before donors proceed to an open- plan donation area where blood or plasma donation takes place.
It was confirmed that no alterations are proposed to the upper floors of the building and that the development is “limited to the ground floor of the Faber Building, comprising a change of use and associated minor external and internal works”.
In terms of parking, applicants said the site would be a “car-free development” and that visitors and staff would have access to nearby public car parks, along with the area having “excellent public transport accessibility”.
The blood donation centre would be able to accommodate up to 21 staff members at any one time.
The planning statement adds: “The proposal delivers a high-quality and accessible healthcare facility, contributing positively to local health provision and supporting the wider needs of workers, residents and visitors.
“The site’s highly sustainable location within the urban core makes it an appropriate and accessible location for a community healthcare facility, fully aligned with policies.”