Dozens of affordable homes set to be built in Downhill as Sunderland development gets planning permission

Artist impression of two-bedroom bungalow from phase one of Gentoo’s Downhill development

Earlier this year, Gentoo Homes lodged proposals to develop a site south of Kidderminster Road in ‘phase two’ of their Downhill development.

The project, near the historic Hylton Castle, includes 56 new houses with a mix of bungalows and two and three-bedroom family homes.

Sunderland City Council’s area Development Control Sub-Committee gave the green light to the housing plans on September 3.

The move will kick start Gentoo’s new £117million investment to provide 900 additional homes for rent in Sunderland by 2024.

At Downhill, the housing firm will provide 100% affordable homes following a funding application bid with Homes England.

This includes eight bungalows and 48 two-storey homes for social rent.

Under a legal agreement with planners, Gentoo is also expected to pay funds to the council to reduce the impact on protected nature sites.

At Sunderland Civic Centre this week, Coun Michael Butler raised concerns about potential flooding from planned ponds on the site.

However, the meeting heard that in the case of a flash flood, the ponds would empty to a safe level within 24 hours.

Planning officers also confirmed the development would be kept in check by a sustainable drainage plan in future.

The site was originally occupied by council housing built in the 1960s and later demolished in 2010.

When completed, the new estate will mark the end of the Downhill development which was started by Gentoo in 2016.

Development Director at Gentoo Group, Joanne Gordon, said: “Gentoo are dedicated to providing great affordable homes for rent in Sunderland to meet the needs of our tenants and these 56 new homes are an excellent start.

“We can’t wait to see the plots start to develop and residents move in, to start their future in one of our new homes.”

The application will be referred back to the council’s executive director of city development, who is expected to approve the application.

Building work at Downhill is expected to start in spring 2020 with the first residents moving in later the same year