Plans to convert a long-vacant former caretaker’s property at a Sunderland primary school into an educational use have been submitted to council development bosses.

Sunderland City Council’s planning department has received an application for a property described as the Holley Cottage at Holley Park Academy in the city’s Washington South ward.

The primary school is linked to the Northern Lights Learning Trust and was rated ‘Good’ in its latest Ofsted inspection in 2024.

Holley Park Academy, Washington | Google/LDRS

placeholder image — Holley Park Academy, Washington | Google/LDRS

New plans from Holley Park Academy aim to repurpose a vacant building on the school site that was previously used as caretaker’s accommodation.

A planning application submitted to council officials notes the building is “designated for residential use and has been used historically by the school’s caretaker as living accommodation”.

However, it notes that “the caretaker vacated the property in August 2023 and as such, the property has been unoccupied since that time”.

Those behind the plans said as the property is “no longer required forresidential purposes”, the school now wants to use the space for “educational activities” ranging from teaching and meeting spaces, to offices and storage.

The planning application continues: “As the property is no longer required for residential purposes, the school intends to repurpose it to support educational activities.

“This would include use as office space, meeting space, teaching space and storage space, which will be dependent on school need at point of use.

“No structural alterations both internal or external are proposed.”

The planning application notes no work or change of use has started and that the development would retain two parking spaces linked to the property.

Existing floor plans for the building show the site subdivided into three bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen, storage and a lounge.

Proposed floor plans show a similar layout with three rooms repurposed into teaching / office spaces, along with two storage rooms and the kitchen and bathroom being retained.

A decision on the planning application is expected following a council consultation exercise.

Sunderland City Council’s planning portal website lists a decision deadline of January 28, 2026.

For more information on the plan, or to track its progress, visit Sunderland City Council’s planning portal website and search reference: 25/02323/FU4

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