Deal agreed to sell Sunderland Civic Centre, paving the way for stunning new housing community in city centre

Vistry Partnerships North East is set to take charge of the crumbling Sunderland City Council HQ in Burdon Road, including plans to develop an exciting new neighbourhood of city centre homes, interwoven with open public spaces and pedestrian links to the rest of the city, with the deal finalised today.

The North East house builder and regeneration specialist, which is already delivering a housing scheme in Ayton, Washington, was named preferred developer earlier this year and has been working with the community to shape plans for the area.

Meanwhile, council teams have been preparing to move into their new base at City Hall, part of the ambitious Riverside Sunderland project, on the former Vaux brewery site.

Vistry’s proposal, which includes the construction of around 280 homes, was deemed to provide the best response to the council’s development vision.

It will create a mixed tenure community of open market and affordable homes, with modern and spacious properties ranging from one to four bedrooms.

The scheme will include attractive areas of formal and informal amenity space and enhanced pedestrian and multi-user links to the city centre, Ashbrooke and Mowbray Park.

The proposed architecture and streetscape will be sensitive to the parkside location and the Ashbrooke Conservation Area.

Councillor Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “We’re delighted that the sale of the former Civic Centre site is moving forward, with plans for its development advancing at pace.

“The transformation of our city is gathering momentum, and as we prepare to move into City Hall, we’re pleased to have rapidly secured a new use for our old estate in tandem, allowing development to quickly get underway and support the businesses at the southern end of the city centre, at the same time as we deliver positive change to the north of the city centre through our Riverside Sunderland regeneration programme.”

“This site is well-positioned to add to the city’s residential offer, based on the edge of a prestigious residential community that will ensure it delivers a stunning new place to live that increases the city centre population and footfall, supporting the daytime and evening economy.”

Having exchanged contracts, it is expected that – subject to planning – the demolition of the old civic centre could get underway in early 2022.

Sean Egan, Managing Director with Vistry Partnerships North East said: “This is very exciting project of which to be part. We are confident this development will be instrumental in improving housing choice, employment opportunities and will regenerate a key, high profile site in Sunderland.”

“We will create an attractive new residential quarter, with contemporary homes of the highest quality that will sit comfortably within the surrounding architecture and a focus on green space, that promotes community use.”

The new homes are part of a wider plan to build more than 7,000 new homes across the city by 2030. The plan will ensure that Sunderland has the volume and variety of homes it needs to attract and retain a diverse range of residents.

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