Three new flats can now be built above a Sunderland convenience store after city planners gave the scheme the go-ahead.

Sunderland City Council has approved plans to convert unused storage space above a Premier store, on the corner of Ewesley Road and Cleveland Road in High Barnes, into three self-contained one-bedroom apartments.

Each flat will include a kitchen and living area, bathroom and lobby, with access provided via a covered first-floor walkway from the rear lane.

The application states the homes will be classed as market housing.

The flats will be created above a Premier convenience store in Sunderland's Barnes area.

placeholder image — The flats will be created above a Premier convenience store in Sunderland's Barnes area.

During consultation, two objections were lodged raising concerns over parking, highway safety, overdevelopment and the impact of new first-floor windows on neighbouring properties.

However, planning officers concluded the scheme was acceptable and granted permission on July 30.

They said the proposed walkway linked to the new flats “would not be considered to read as a visually obtrusive, unacceptable addition” and that external alterations would not “prejudice the character and appearance of the locality”.

It was also claimed that the proposed new openings and covered walkway structure would “have no unacceptable impacts on the amenities of the occupiers of neighbouring properties in relation to privacy, outlook and over dominance or over shadowing / loss of light”.

On parking and highway safety matters, council planners added the “absence of objection from the local highways authority is considered sufficient to address representations which raise concerns in relation to parking and highway and pedestrian safety.”

Under planning conditions, the development must start on site within three years.

For more information, visit Sunderland City Council’s planning portal website and search for reference 25/01802/FUL.