Riverside Sunderland: Chiefs to discuss vision for new 'urban quarter' which will double population of city centre

Riverside Sunderland covers the former Vaux brewery site, neighbouring Farringdon Row, Galley’s Gill, Riverside Park and High Street West.

On the north side of the river, it also includes the Bonnersfield and Sheepfolds area where housing and mixed use development is proposed.

Last year, financial services giant Legal & General announced it is investing £100 million into the city centre and at the former Vaux brewery site where business and office use is a priority.

Sunderland City Council bosses say that the Riverside Sunderland project will double the resident population of the city centre from 2,500 to 5,000 and increase employment by 50% to 18,000.

Next week, the authority’s ruling cabinet will discuss a new planning document which will help shape the development by offering guidance to businesses, developers and housebuilders.

Leader of Sunderland City Council, Coun Graeme Miller, said: “This city council is committed to improving all areas of Sunderland and a key part of these improvements is creating a more dynamic city centre.

“We are creating and planning a new urban quarter in the centre of Sunderland with new businesses and new homes.

“Riverside Sunderland is quality workspaces and homes that attract investors, businesses, residents, students and workers. This is about raising the bar with the very highest quality and sustainable developments.

“The draft guidance that’s going before the cabinet sets out our aspirations and ambitions and I have no hesitation in recommending it to my cabinet colleagues for their approval.

“Subject to the cabinet’s decision, we can begin the consultation process and maintain momentum with the exciting Riverside Sunderland programme.”

The draft ‘Supplementary Planning Document’ sets out principles and parameters that will ensure the effective planning of Riverside Sunderland.

These include:

:: The context, vision and objectives for Riverside Sunderland

:: Site constraints and opportunities

:: Land use and design principles

:: Character areas, building heights and appearance

:: Layout, open space and accessibility

:: Indicative delivery and phasing strategy

:: Future planning application requirements

Subject to approval from cabinet, a four week consultation with the public, local businesses and statutory bodies could begin later this month.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the city council’s cabinet has started to meet remotely with meetings live-streamed on the council’s YouTube channel.

The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 16 at 2pm and can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_vfdSqAZgQ

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