Thieves target Sunderland's closed National Glass Centre as new security measures are approved
Plans have been approved for security hoardings around the closed National Glass Centre (NGC) site to help prevent break-ins and vandalism.
The venue closed to the public at the end of July after the University of Sunderland declared it financially unviable and a recent application to the council asked to install timber hoardings for a three-year period.
The application argued that the 8ft-high hoarding would “restrict unlawful entry” while maintaining “sufficient” space for pedestrians to continue using the riverside pathway.
Plans were given the go-ahead at Sunderland City Council’s latest planning and highways committee meeting.
A planning agent speaking on behalf of the university said there had been attempted break-ins at the vacant NGC site and added hoardings would help protect the building from vandalism and prevent potential injuries to those attempting to gain access unlawfully.
The application was called into the planning and highways committee by Roker councillor Andrew Ramsey, who raised concerns about the temporary works becoming “semi-permanent in practice, especially where the future of the building remains unresolved”.
Council planning officers, recommending the security hoarding plan for approval, said there was “no concern that the hoardings could become permanent by default”.
It was noted that there had 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”.
During consultation, the Save the National Glass Centre campaign group made detailed representations and asked for planning conditions to ensure the NGC building is “actively managed, maintained and protected throughout the duration of the consent”.
Campaigners said that their representation “should not be interpreted as an objection” and added “the group recognises that security measures may be necessary”.
Council planners said that the campaign group’s suggested conditions for the hoardings plan were “not considered to be relevant or reasonable” as they related to the management and maintenance of the NGC building itself.
A letter submitted on behalf of the university said the security hoardings plan was for “security and safety purposes only”.