Townhouses approved for ex-petrol station site in Sunderland

Plans to transform a derelict petrol station site into new homes have been given the go-ahead by council planners.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

According to planning documents, the area has been derelict for several years with forecourt buildings remaining on site.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The proposals included converting the land into a ‘townhouse’ complex with eight four-bedroom homes and 12 parking bays to the rear.

Former service station site off Westholme Terrace, SunderlandFormer service station site off Westholme Terrace, Sunderland
Former service station site off Westholme Terrace, Sunderland

The plans also aimed to demolish all structures on the site to make way for the two storey development.

Following consultation, Sunderland City Council’s planning authority approved the planning application on Friday, May 29.

Although council officers admitted there could be an impact on residents to the rear of the site from one bedroom window, no objections were lodged from neighbours.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A decision report reads: “Officers therefore consider that planning permission should not be refused solely on the basis that the separation distance from one bedroom window does not meet the guidance.

“Especially given that the balance of the proposal accords with the development plan and would contribute towards providing housing on a currently vacant piece of brownfield land located in a sustainable location.”

The report added the site would bring benefits in terms of economic development, meeting housing needs and regenerating a “long-standing vacant site.”

Over the years, several planning applications to convert the site have been rejected – including proposals for car washes and a tyre repair centre.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Although an application for apartments on the site was approved more than a decade ago, the scheme failed to materialise.

Under planning conditions, the new townhouse plans must be brought forward within the next three years.

Applicant, The Newcastle Car Wash Limited, is also expected to pay funds to the city council to minimise “recreational impacts” on protected nature sites.

This is part of a section 106 agreement and will be set at a rate of £271 per dwelling, according to council planning papers.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you

How to subscribe to the print edition

It’s easy to subscribe to your local newspaper. We have arranged a special 20 per cent off subscription offer for people to take advantage of. Visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk, choose the newspaper title, the type of subscription and enter your details.