'Security hoarding' plan unveiled for Sunderland's closed National Glass Centre site
Plans to install security hoardings around the closed National Glass Centre (NGC) site will be decided by councillors later today.
The council’s planning and highways committee will vote on proposals from the University of Sunderland to install a “temporary security hoarding” around the NGC’s perimeter.
The cultural venue closed to the public at the end of July after the university declared it financially unviable.
In recent months, the university lodged plans seeking permission for a security hoarding around the NGC for a temporary period of three years and a supporting letter said the plan was for “security and safety purposes only, and not in any way related to works to the building”.
The application argued that the 2.44m-high hoarding would “restrict unlawful entry” while maintaining “sufficient” space for pedestrians to continue using the riverside pathway.
During consultation, the Save the National Glass Centre campaign group asked for planning conditions to be put in place to “ensure the building is actively managed, maintained and protected throughout the duration of the consent”.
Meanwhile, Roker councillor Andrew Ramsey requested that the application be referred to the planning and highways committee for decision.
He said the hoardings would “affect an important riverside pedestrian and cycle route for a potentially prolonged period” and raised concerns that the temporary works could become “semi-permanent in practice, especially where the future of the building remains unresolved.”
A response from the university’s planning agent said the hoarding would not result in the diversion or requirement to create a right of way and added the remaining width of the riverside promenade is deemed acceptable by council officers.
Council planning officers, recommending the security hoarding plan for approval, said there is “no concern that the hoardings could become permanent by default”.
It was noted that there have been “security issues” at the NGC since its closure and officers said temporary hoardings for a three-year period would “provide the university with some flexibility whilst the future of the NGC becomes clearer.”
The planning and highways committee will discuss the plan on Monday, October 19 at City Hall from 5.30pm. The meeting is open to the public.
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