Sunderland to approve retirement homes
The 51-apartment McCarthy Stone scheme is set for the green light at the council’s meeting next week, despite being unable to offer affordable housing.
Located on Sycamore Drive in the Carley Hill area of the city, the sits was previously occupied by Thornbeck College, an autism educational centre that was demolished in 2018.
Designed by Corstorphine & Wright and advised by Lichfields, plans for the one-acre site also include a small 20-space car park, landscaping, and a mix of 15 two-bed and 36 one-bed apartments.
In its planning statement, Lichfields noted that a viability assessment carried out by Alder King Property Consultants found that there is ‘no financial headroom’ for affordable housing.
However, given the accommodation is for specially-designed elderly homes, it benefits from Homes England funding and therefore, the apartments can be bought through shared ownership, reducing the prices by 25%.
The site is now vacant, and bounded by Fulwell Quarry Nature Reserve to the north and west, rear gardens and residential properties to the east, and houses and Wearmouth Cricket Club to the south.
