Riverside housing approved but obligations not met

Plans for housing on a city's riverside have been given the green light, despite some planning obligations not being met.

Sunderland City Council had sought a financial contribution towards education and affordable housing from developer Placefirst of the 165-home rental scheme on Farringdon Row.

These were not provided, but a planning committee report said the "significant positive aspects" of the project outweighed that.

Alun Davies, head of planning at Placefirst, said the development represented an investment of more than £33m into the site.

It was noted the developer's financial viability assessment, used to justify the absence of the contributions, had been "independently reviewed on behalf of the council" and accepted.

The scheme's viability and planning obligations could still be "retested" in future, the committee report added.

Developers said they hoped to start work on the site in the coming months.

There were no public comments or objections to the plans, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Labour councillor Iain Scott said he was "delighted" there was a clause in the scheme to "retest" its viability in future.

Conservative councillor Michael Dixon said the new homes would provide an economic boost for city centre businesses.

"There's been a lot happening in Sunderland over the last few years but there's still a sort of an average footfall at certain times of the night in certain areas," he added.

"I think this development will help the local businesses, either nearby, or further into the city centre."

A planning statement previously submitted to council officials said the site, which historically formed part of Sunderland Power Station, had been disused since the closure of the station in the late 1970s.

The new neighbourhood, overlooking the River Wear, will have 67 houses and 98 apartments.

It will also comprise a cliff top walkway, a publicly-accessible green space and informal play areas.

There will also be dedicated parking for residents, as well as visitor bays.

Follow BBC Sunderland on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].