Apartments plan for empty former office block in Washington

Plans to convert part of a long-vacant Washington office block into apartments have been submitted to city development chiefs.
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Sunderland City Council’s planning department has received an application for the Derwent House office building in the Washington Central ward.

The building sits close to The Galleries shopping centre and a short walk from Washington’s main bus station.

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According to planning documents submitted to council officials, the five-storey office building has been vacant for around a decade.

The building has been empty for around a decade. Picture c/o Google Streetview.The building has been empty for around a decade. Picture c/o Google Streetview.
The building has been empty for around a decade. Picture c/o Google Streetview.

New plans from applicant JT Consultancy Ltd are looking for permission to convert the building’s ground, first and second floors into residential accommodation.

This includes a total of 24 apartments split equally between one and two-bedroom properties.

A covering letter submitted with the application states a previous bid to convert the entire building to provide 39 flats was submitted to the council, but never implemented.

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Under new plans for the office block, no external alterations are proposed to the building and the third and fourth floors are not included in the apartment scheme.

The covering letter from applicants adds: “Access arrangements would remain as existing and are considered capable of accommodating the proposed increase in use.

“The site benefits from good existing transport links and is within close distance of public transport services.

“The site also benefits from existing areas of parking which will be made available to residents.

“Servicing and waste collection will be in line with local standards and appropriate areas can be provided for the storage of waste.

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“Overall, it is considered that the proposal has been appropriately considered in relation to any potential highways concerns”.

A decision on the application is expected to be made next year once a period of council consultation has concluded.

For more information on the application, visit Sunderland City Council’s online planning portal and search reference: 22/02607/PCG