Sunderland green light for Capital & Centric
The developer has officially been appointed on the redevelopment of High Street West, which will create an urban neighbourhood with spaces to live, work, and socialise on four development plots cleared earlier this year.
Capital & Centric was drafted in to advise on masterplanning and design back in August, and will now provide development management services.
Part of the city council’s Riverside Sunderland masterplan, the regeneration will bring modern retail, commercial, leisure, and residential spaces to an area where clearance projects took place earlier this year.
Broadly speaking, the new buildings will see upper floors accommodating either commercial office space or apartments, as the local authority looks to boost the number of people living in the city centre.
Active ground floor space will ensure the high street continues to attract shoppers and visitors.
The new look High Street West will include pedestrian friendly, plant-lined streets, pocket parks, and spaces to sit.
John Moffat, joint managing director at C&C, said: “High Street West is brimming with potential, and our ambition is to create a city neighbourhood that feels characterful, independent and full of life.
“The mix of homes, green streets, and space for locals to do their thing is how we plan to create a lasting community, not just buildings.
“Now we have the green light, we’ll be rolling up our sleeves and getting cracking.”
Cllr Kevin Johnston, portfolio holder for housing, regeneration and business at Sunderland City Council, said: “With the Riverside Sunderland regeneration progressing at pace, and with the development of the former Vaux site establishing a new vibrant heart to the city, it will be brilliant to see the regeneration programme extend to High Street West, connecting Riverside Sunderland with the city centre.
“Working with Capital&Centric, we will create a vibrant, people-first neighbourhood that reflects the creativity and ambition of our community and continue in generating a city where people choose to live, work, and play.”
High Street West’s transformation is part of the council’s Riverside Sunderland masterplan, which includes residential, commercial, and leisure developments.
It is part of a programme of development projects that aim to double the residential population in the city centre and increase employment by 50%, in line with the city’s housing strategy, which will see 7,000 new homes built by 2030.
