Fresh plans for apartments above former jewellers in Sunderland city centre

Earlier in August, 2022, Sunderland City Council’s planning department validated an application for 15 Waterloo Place near the city’s central rail station.

The corner retail unit was last occupied by the Herbert Brown jewellery shop but according to planning documents, but the premises have now been empty for more than two years.

On June 6, 2022, plans to convert the upper floors of the building into six self-contained apartments were refused by council planners over a range of issues.

The list of concerns cited included a lack of suitable waste storage facilities, the “sub-standard level of accommodation and amenity” proposed and the lack of a submitted noise assessment looking at “exposure of the property to external noise levels”.

The city council ruling followed several objections from members of the public and the council’s environmental services manager, who warned of a “significant impact on the city centre environment and the vision of the city”.

Following the setback, the applicant has now resubmitted plans in a second bid to change the vacant upper floors into apartment accommodation.

The planning listing describes the proposed use as a six-bedroom house in multiple occupation for up to 12 people.

Proposed floor plans for the building show a bin storage area at ground floor level, cycle parking, four bedrooms on the first floor and two bedrooms on the second floor.

According to submitted floor plans, each bedroom would have an en-suite room with toilet and shower facilities and the building would also offer a communal kitchen area and communal toilet at first floor level.

A noise impact assessment report, submitted on behalf of the applicant, adds the site is “suitable for residential development” subject to identified noise risks being “mitigated and minimised”.

Council planning chiefs are expected to make a decision on the application by the end of September, 2022, once a council consultation exercise has concluded.

For more information on the apartment scheme or to track its progress, visit Sunderland City Council’s online planning portal and search reference: 22/01619/SUB