Councillors support plans to regenerate Seaburn and Roker seafronts

City leaders have revealed a divide over regeneration plans for Sunderland’s seafront.
An artist's impression of how a former toilet block in Roker could look as part of the project.An artist's impression of how a former toilet block in Roker could look as part of the project.
An artist's impression of how a former toilet block in Roker could look as part of the project.

Bosses on Sunderland City Council’s ruling cabinet have agreed to back proposals worth about £1.4 million for a range of improvements in Roker and Seaburn.

But the scheme did not win unconditional support from the panel, with one senior councillor requesting it be closely scrutinised.

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“I think this is something we need to keep an eye on and I’m still to be convinced by elements of it,” Coun John Kelly, cabinet member for Communities and Culture, told the cabinet meeting on Tuesday, November 19.

“However, I will support this today, but I ask that a view is kept on this because I am still to be convinced on elements of it.”

Projects expected to be earmarked for the cash include the conversion of the old Tram Shelter and former Bay Shelter at Seaburn into cafes and restaurants and the development of beach huts at Seaburn.

Work to regenerate the seafront began about 10 years ago and have since included restoration of Roker Pier and Lighthouse, as well as the establishment of the Sunderland Seafront Trust, which runs tours of the landmark.

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Coun Rebeca Atkinson, cabinet member for Housing and Regeneration, said: “The council and Sunderland Culture are the main partners and have been given £819,999 from the Coastal Communities Fund.

“This, matched with £440,000 from the city council and £140,000 from Sunderland Culture gives a total budget of £1.4 million.”