Plan to squeeze extra 'executive' home onto housing development knocked-back

Plans had already been approved and construction started on eight properties on land behind Tudor Grove when a fresh application was submitted seeking permission for a ninth.

But despite Sunderland City Council’s planning department admitting the scheme would not ‘adversely impact’ the neighbourhood or affect road safety, concerns were also raised about harm to wildlife and the loss of land originally intended to be kept clear.

Letters of objection also warned approval could ‘set a precedent for a further increase’ in development.

The proposals were considered at a meeting of Sunderland City Council’s Development Control Sub-Committee for South Sunderland.

Coun Rebecca Atkinson, cabinet member for housing and regeneration, told the panel she had been ‘liaising with residents’ over the application and left the room.

The remaining councillors unanimously rejected the plans.