Plans to demolish former Sunderland pub to make way for homes

Plans to demolish a former Sunderland pub to make way for affordable homes could be given the green light.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The B Bar, known locally as The Buffs, closed in 2019 after having its licence revoked by Sunderland City Council’s licensing committee.

The decision was made after a number of violent crimes took place at the Southwick-based bar, including two serious assaults.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Now, more than one year on from its closure, city councillors will be asked to approve plans to redevelop the pub site to make way for housing.

Site Of The Buffs Old Mill Road, Southwick (2021)Site Of The Buffs Old Mill Road, Southwick (2021)
Site Of The Buffs Old Mill Road, Southwick (2021)

According to a report prepared for the council’s area planning committee next week, partial demolition has already taken place and the vacant site is “now detracting from the overall appearance of the immediate street scene.”

Local firm MCC Homes Ltd purchased the land and former pub in consultation with the city council and hope to create a new cul-de-sac offering 16 homes.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

This includes five three-bedroom family homes and 11 two-bedroom bungalows, alongside alterations to an access road onto Old Mill Road.

Sunderland City Council’s planning department have recommended the plans for approval.

A report from planners states: “The application is considered to be acceptable in respect of its land use, ecology, design, highway and drainage engineering considerations, whilst the submission has demonstrated that through the use of appropriate conditions it should ensure a healthy and safe environment in both the construction and operational phases of the development.

“Significant weight is being given to the housing mix (bungalows) on offer within the development and the ability of the development to deliver affordable homes, whilst recognising that the redevelopment of the existing dilapidated site provides an overall planning gain to the local area in terms of amenity value and choice of product.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

However, the final say on the application rests with the council’s Planning and Highways (East) Committee which will meet on Monday, April 26.

The meeting starts at 4pm and will be livestreamed on the council’s YouTube channel which can be found at: https://youtu.be/aQ-q58uQTtc

Related topics: