Five hundred new Sunderland homes planned for 'flagship development'

Plans to build 500 new homes in Sunderland as part of a £37million flagship development have been unveiled.

Gentoo Homes has submitted a proposal to build the 500 new homes, available to both buy and rent, at a what it is calling the Chester Gate site, in Chester Road, Sunderland.

The company says the housing development will be ‘unlocked’ by the construction of a new access road from Chester Road, which will be part of Sunderland City Council’s £2million highway improvement work as part of the Chester Gate scheme.

A mix of two, three and four bedroomed properties are proposed. Gentoo Homes is now set to apply for planning permission to build the first phase of the project, featuring 118 new homes, all of which will be available to buy.

Improvement works to Chester Road are due be carried out later this year, subject to planning approval, with Gentoo Homes aiming to begin construction work on Pennywell site at the beginning of 2019.

Keith Loraine, chair of Gentoo Group, said: “We are hugely excited about the prospect of the new Chester Gate development and are immensely proud to play a key role in Sunderland’s ongoing transformation in to a modern and prosperous 21 st century city.

"Our plans to redevelop the site represent a huge investment for Gentoo and this once again demonstrates our commitment to providing much needed new housing in Sunderland.”

Coun Graeme Miller, Sunderland City Council’s cabinet member for health, housing and adult services, added: “The council is delighted to be supporting Gentoo Homes on the new Chester Gate development.”

“The council is keen to see more housing of all kinds developed in our city. Using Government guidelines and data, it is estimated that Sunderland requires nearly 14,000 more new homes over the next 15 years to help deal with the expected population growth.

Also read: Plans unveiled for 700 new Sunderland homes