Plans to turn former bank into shops in busy Sunderland street get the go-ahead

Plans to transform a former bank site into shops have been given the green light by council planners.
Former Natwest bank site, Sea Road. SunderlandFormer Natwest bank site, Sea Road. Sunderland
Former Natwest bank site, Sea Road. Sunderland

Earlier this year, a ‘change of use’ bid was lodged for the former Natwest site on Fulwell’s busy shopping street, Sea Road.

According to planning documents, the bank site has been vacant since 2016.

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New plans aim to repurpose the building for businesses with a new dividing wall, separate shop fronts and external roller shutters.

Sunderland City Council’s planning authority approved the plans on Wednesday, November 20.

In a decision report, planners said the site falls under policies aiming to sustain and enhance the “vitality, viability and appropriate diversification” of shopping areas.

They added that the design of the shop fronts were “appropriate” for the area.

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The report reads: “Given the above and the need for traditional shopping areas to diversify in the current challenging retail climate, it is considered that the continued use of the premises as retail units is an appropriate use in this local shopping centre.”

Under planning conditions work must take place within the next three years.

Currently, there is no indication whether potential tenants have been lined up.