New apartments plan for former Barnardo's store in Sunderland city centre

Sunderland City Council’s planning department has received an application for 11 Stockton Road near Park Lane Interchange in the city’s St Michael’s ward.

The large building was once occupied by charity Barnardo’s which has since closed at the site and the building’s ground floor is now occupied by an estate agent.

New plans from Sundridge Park Properties Ltd aim to change the use of the upper floors from offices to apartments.

Proposals include four apartments in total, the installation of a smoke vent to the existing roof, the alteration of existing window fenestration, the creation of a bin and cycle store and a new roller shutter access door.

A planning application submitted to council officials states the first and second floor offices in the building are currently vacant.

An acoustic design statement notes plans aim to convert the upper floors from “commercial to residential use” and that the “ground floor will remain in commercial use as an estate agent”.

The acoustic design statement adds that “noise impact to habitable rooms due to customers arriving and leaving the estate agent would be negligible”.

It was added that there “should be no reason to object to the proposal with regard to noise” if recommendations are implemented.

Submitted floor plans also indicate that there would be two flats per floor, with a two-bedroom flat and a one-bedroom flat on the first floor and two two-bedroom flats on the second floor.

Floor plans show each flat offering a living/dining area, kitchen and bathroom.

A design and access statement submitted with the plans adds: “The existing access arrangements to the first floor flats will be retained and unaltered.

“A new roller shutter door access will be created within the single-storey building to back lane off Olive Street for the refuse and cycle storage”.

A decision on the planning application will be made once a period of council consultation has concluded.

Sunderland City Council’s planning portal website lists a decision deadline of August 8, 2024.

For more information on the plan or to track its progress, visit the council’s planning portal website and search reference: 24/01110/FUL