Revealed: Plans for massive new housing estate in Sunderland

Siglion - the developer charged with handling several high profile sites across the city, including Vaux - wants to create a new 'village-style community' at Chapelgarth, near Doxford Park.

At the heart of the plans is a development of up to 750 two, three, four and five-bedroom homes in landscaped, village-style neighbourhoods.

Siglion says its proposals include generous green spaces and the latest sustainable technology to protect the development and surrounding area from future flooding, all built into the fabric of the plans.

The plans include a number of parks, surrounded by existing trees and hedgerows with a network of footpaths and play areas for children as well as open space spaces for walking and enjoying local wildlife.

The 45-hectare site also includes a community area, with space for shops and services such as a doctor’s surgery and community centre. Pubs and takeaways are not part of the proposals, which aims to create a village-style development.

Local residents have raised concerns about flooding in the area, but Siglion is also seeking permission to begin infrastructure work on the site with new internal roads and a modern drainage scheme to tackle the problem.

Katie Sully, Siglion development director, said: "The plans for Chapelgarth have been amended to reflect the wishes of the local community.

"We listened to concerns about green spaces and potential flooding, and we have worked hard to create a proposal that addresses these. The Sustainable Urban Drainage System has been put together by engineering specialists to provide the most effective and up-to-date drainage technology currently in use.

"We have made retention of green space a priority. The plans include a green buffer between Weymouth Road and the Chapelgarth development, and the Central Park green space and other green areas around the site cover a size equivalent to more than 18 football pitches.

"We also took people’s concern about wildlife habitats into account and we have worked with local landscape architects Colour, both to create new green areas and preserve the existing woodland, which will be in easy reach for both existing and new residents to enjoy."

Siglion chairman Neil McMillan said: "We have worked hard with local people to create plans for a superb new residential area for people in Sunderland that will meet their needs both now and for years to come.

"The Chapelgarth area will offer a fantastic place to live, with quality homes, access to great green spaces and local services. This is about building a community for the future, where people can enjoy living and working, and will breathe new life into this area of Sunderland."

The planning submission for Chapelgarth follows the planning submission for phase one of Siglion’s redevelopment of the former Vaux Brewery site in the city centre. The joint venture company is also working on regeneration plans for Seaburn, Farringdon Row and Numbers Garth.

City council leader Coun Paul Watson said: "With Siglion, we are embarking on a regeneration programme to make Sunderland a strong city for the 21st Century, with great places to live, work and visit.

"I'm impressed with the new plans for Chapelgarth and look forward to seeing work get under way to create a new community that will serve the needs of local people and protect the environment at the same time."