Plans submitted for new 520-space car park near Sunderland's Doxford International Business Park

Proposals for a new 520-space car park, which could be situated on land off City Way, have been submitted by Sunderland City Council.

If approved, the proposed car park will provide 520 new spaces and including provisions for 21 disabled user bays and 15 electric vehicle bays, as well as drainage.

The main car park, which would be situated between Moorside and East Herrington, would be accessed via a new road from B1286 City Way and developers say the length of the access road and nature of the junction will be designed to account for the number of cars predicted at peak times.

Existing footways and cycleways will be re-routed and a new ramp and crossing facility will be provided over City Way.

In recent years, residents living near the park have raised issues over business park employees parking in residential areas.

In the design and access statement, developers say: “The site has no specific use and is currently largely overgrown with low-value vegetation.

"The informal routes crossing the site are primarily used by local dog walkers and there is evidence of anti-social behaviour on some parts of the site (remnants of small fires and empty alcohol cans/bottles). There has also been some evidence of fly tipping on part of the site.

"The council has identified the need for additional parking for the Doxford International Business Park, to help deal with current demand on the business park and to help ease parking problems in adjacent residential areas. Parking for commuters using the business park would be the sole proposed use of the site.”

The planning application, which is available to view in detail on Sunderland City Council’s website, includes comments from both a councillor and a local resident who object to the plans on the grounds of destruction of green space.

The plans for the land surrounded by Silksworth Road , Clinton Place and City Way Sunderland were submitted on July 10.

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