Second attempt to convert vacant former Sunderland pub into homes with new planning application for flats

Earlier this month, Sunderland City Council’s received an application for the former Salem pub, in Hendon.

The property, off Salem Street, was formerly known as the Tap & Barrel, but has been vacant for several years.

Although planning permission was granted by the council in 2019 to convert the building into six apartments, the housing scheme never materialised.

A new planning application for the site is now seeking permission to convert the former pub into four two-bedroom apartments.

A ‘community use statement’ submitted with the plans outlines the proposed benefits of the renovation and conversion works.

This includes reviving an “unused” building which has sat empty for “more than 15 years”.

The support statement reads:“Whilst the building was considered a potential community use […] its closure led [sic] to many other community buildings opening in near proximity, and the need for another community building is now seen as secondary to the need for low cost housing in the area.

“The building was never placed on the property market, so no discussions have taken place with other community facility owners or local residents group.”

The community use statement adds: “It should be noted that other community groups such as ‘Back On The Map’ are trying to increase the quality and number of properties within the Hendon area, with the backing of Sunderland City Council.

“It is therefore considered to be time to remove this ‘blot on the landscape’ and see it reused as residential accommodation to benefit the street scene and the community of which it forms part.”