New vet centre to open for Sunderland, creating a dozen jobs

In May 2020, proposals were lodged with Sunderland City Council for a unit at Houghton Enterprise Centre, off Lake Road.

The bid from company VetPartners Ltd included converting Unit B35 into a veterinary practice creating a dozen jobs.

This is part of a move from their current town centre location to the ‘edge of centre business park.’

According to floor plans submitted with the planning application, the surgery would offer a wide range of facilities.

This includes a pharmacy, theatre and x-ray room alongside a dental facility, canine and feline kennels and waiting areas.

During consultation, one letter was received from a nearby business raising concerns about increased demand for parking at the site.

However, council highways officers said that seven allocated spaces for the surgery would be acceptable.

Sunderland City Council’s planning authority approved the plans on Wednesday, October 28.

A council report added it would be likely that only two customers would be on site at a time, by appointment only, when the site is operational.

In addition, no more than five members of staff would be on site at any one time.

The report goes on to say: “The proposed vets have seven allocated spaces to accommodate the parking for the unit and the council’s engineers have fully considered the parking available, staff numbers and clients visiting at any one time and have agreed the parking provision would be acceptable in this instance.”

Proposed opening hours for the veterinary surgery would be 8am-8pm, Monday to Sunday, including Bank Holidays.

In addition, a secure cycle store will be provided to promote ‘sustainable travel options for staff.’

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