Sunderland leaders back plans for 100 homes on Hendon ghost streets

Sunderland City Council’s ruling cabinet has approved an agreement for the ‘comprehensive redevelopment’ of land in the Hendon ward.

The land at Amberley Street and Harrogate Street was cleared in the 1990s and has been empty ever since, roads running through patches of grass where dozens of homes once stood.

Now, decades later and under a new agreement with Thirteen Housing Group Ltd, the land could soon be the site of 100 affordable homes.

Cabinet member for Dynamic City, councillor Rebecca Atkinson, outlined the plans at a virtual cabinet meeting on Tuesday, October 13.

“This agreement will enable the delivery of the new homes and provide grant support to unlock the development and bring the land back into use for new affordable homes for families and older people,” she said.

“The development will meet strategic housing priorities and deliver a housing-led regeneration project for the area.”

In delivering the development, Thirteen Group, a North East-based registered housing provider, has already agreed to support and use local businesses and suppliers.

A report to cabinet states the council’s grant support can be met through funds within the approved capital programme.

Failing to provide the support, it goes on to say, would make the project “unviable” and “prevent the supply of much needed new homes for local people.”

The plans won unanimous support from cabinet members with council leader, councillor Graeme Miller, praising the scheme.

“This doesn’t sound like an awful lot but this is a massive step for the council working with Thirteen Group to deliver affordable housing into an area where land has been lying empty for 30 years,” he said.

“I think the team have done an excellent job of getting that off the ground and adding more affordable housing into Sunderland where it is needed at its most.

“I congratulate the team and Cllr Atkinson for doing so.”

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