Hotel, restaurant and offices plan for closed down Pallion social club
Plans for hotel-style accommodation at a former social club on Wearside have been submitted to council development chiefs.
Sunderland City Council’s planning department has received an application for the former Pallion Workingmen’s Club site off Waverley Terrace in the Pallion ward.
Back in 2017, the property was purchased by Woodvale Properties which aimed to restore the club and split it into four individual units.
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Several businesses have occupied parts of the building since, ranging from a gin bar and events centre to a dance school, and more recently, a restaurant and licensed events room.
The building’s owners have now applied to Sunderland City Council to convert the building into a “mixed use hotel with serviced accommodation on [the] first and second floor and restaurant and offices on [the] ground floor”.
Those behind the application state the accommodation would be “suitable for contractors to reside while working in the area” and noted it could benefit the upcoming Crown Works Film Studios development nearby.
A planning submission submitted on behalf of applicant Woodvale Properties states it would be “difficult” for the building to “survive” as an events building, given the “current economic situation, cost of living and [the building being] in one of the poorest wards in Sunderland.”
It was argued that “Sunderland’s short-term let market, particularly those catering to contractors and tourists, is poised for steady growth” and that “with the right strategic planning, the region can capitalise on this trend […] catering to both leisure and business travellers”.
Developers said the Pallion accommodation plans aimed to “encompass the need to accommodate people coming to work at the Crown Works and other developments with increasing revenue into the local Pallion retail offer through spending in the local shops.”
Plans aim to “retain and refurbish” the former social club’s ground floor as a “licensed café” to serve both the people using the accommodation and the general public.
The space would also be utilised for the community through Vigeo (Sunderland) CIC by offering ‘warm space’ meeting sessions to “prevent isolation”, planning documents state.
Unit two in the building on the rear ground floor would be retained as offices for an existing estate, lettings and management agency.
Meanwhile, the building’s upper floors would be turned into “high-quality living accommodation” under the proposals, with 15 rooms on level one and five rooms on level two.
It was also noted that “each room will include a bathroom with toilet, wardrobe space, small kitchen area with a microwave plus small fridge.”
The applicant’s planning statement noted that “local people were very concerned that a large HMO (house in multiple occupation) populated by low quality tenants was being proposed” but stressed this was “not our intention.”
Instead, developers said the proposal would provide “a high-quality co-living space for contractors in the building with a retained licensed offer”.
A management plan submitted with the proposals, and published on Sunderland City Council’s planning portal website, describes the development as the “Woodvale House Hotel” and sets out policies and procedures for the short-stay accommodation.
It states the “target market” would be contractors involved in the Crown Works Film Studios, riverside developments, Nissan and the International Advanced Manufacturing Park, as well as North East Screen.
The management plan adds there would be policies around noise control, security and anti-social behaviour and servicing and deliveries, and that “pre-arrival emails and the hotel website [would] include details of off-site parking options to minimize local congestion”.
It was also noted that staff would be encouraged to “car share”, that cycle parking would be provided and that the hotel would “maintain an open line of communication with local residents or businesses regarding traffic and parking concerns.”
North East Screen, the region’s screen agency which supports screen industries including film and TV production, also submitted a letter of support for the Pallion hotel development.
A statement from the agency published on the council’s planning portal website notes North East Screen is “preparing for huge advances across the region, including studio builds and an increase in production” and is “encouraging local businesses, especially in accommodation and hospitality, to prepare for higher demand.”
The applicant’s planning statement maintains that the 20-room hotel would “take some pressure off the local residential market and would provide added revenue to the local Pallion High Street”.
It adds: “The design and interiors would be high quality making it a home from home for contractors and those on business.
“The utilisation of the ground floor bar into a licensed café where those staying could enjoy a meal and a drink or meet colleagues for small informal meetings would also generate additional income and a small number of jobs for local people necessary to service the accommodation and café.
“Also open to the local public, it would retain the only licensed premises remaining on Pallion high street.
“We have the added benefit of running community programs through Vigeo (Sunderland) CIC in collaboration with local stakeholders.
“Since owning the property it is our belief that the only way this significant building could remain in existence is with the continued use and patronage of the community.”
A decision on the planning application will be made once a period of council-led public consultation has concluded.
There have already been four public objections lodged, with concerns raised about additional parking, highway safety and the future occupants of the hotel.
Sunderland City Council’s planning portal website lists a decision deadline of April 23, 2025, for the hotel plan.
For more information on the plan, or to track its progress, visit the council’s planning portal website and search reference: 24/02127/FUL