Plans for new Sunderland KFC and Burger King set for approval despite objections

Earlier this year, developer Alisa3 Developments Ltd lodged a planning application for the Salterfen Industrial Estate in the Ryhope ward.

The site was last discussed by Sunderland City Council’s cabinet in 2018, with several changes to designs and contractors over the years.

New proposals, which will be presented to planning bosses in 2020, could see the site developed into a leisure complex creating around 83 jobs.

If approved, fast food giants KFC and Burger King would move in to purpose-built spaces on the site, with three extra commercial units also available.

And proposed opening hours would be 7am-11pm, seven days a week.

During consultation, the council received several letters raising concerns about the scheme: from increased litter and traffic to highway safety and noise.

Concerns were also raised about the potential “devaluation of properties” in the area.

Planning officers, recommending the scheme for approval, state the leisure plans would help regenerate a “sustainable brownfield site.”

A report prepared for the council’s area development control sub-committee adds there were no objections from the council’s highways or environmental health teams.

The report goes on to say: “In terms of layout and design the scheme is considered to be of good quality and would facilitate the economic regeneration of a vacant parcel of land at a prominent junction within the city.

“The relationship between the buildings and the nearest residential properties is considered to be appropriate without adversely impacting on levels of sun/daylight, privacy or outlook, noise or smells.

“It is considered that there is sufficient capacity within the existing highway network to accommodate the predicted increase of vehicular movements in and around the site whilst sufficient parking would be accommodated within the site to cater for visitors”.

Access to the leisure development would be taken from Ryhope Road with a total of 99 car parking spaces planned.

A final decision is expected on Monday, January 6 at Sunderland Civic Centre.

The planning meeting starts at 5.15pm and is open to the public.