Former Sunderland Eye Hospital site lined up for 62-home redevelopment
Following completion of its £50m specialist replacement, plans are in motion to demolish the healthcare facility and deliver residential on the nine-acre site off Queen Alexandra Road.
The hospital is due to close later this July and August, when operations wil move to the city centre replacement on Plater Way.
The proposals, prepared by Lambert Smith Hampton, would see the existing hospital building and associated car parking removed, while retaining the site’s electricity substation and most of the existing boundary wall.
A small section of the wall at the entrance would be demolished to accommodate highway improvements.
The wider redevelopment site includes the existing hospital, car park and an adjoining area of allocated but currently inaccessible open space. The land was formerly used as a sports pitch but has remained unused since 2002, according to Sunderland’s Open Space Strategy and Action Plan.
The proposed residential scheme would comprise approximately 62 homes alongside new access arrangements, infrastructure and areas of public open space.
The site is bordered by established residential neighbourhoods, Southmoor Academy, Backhouse Park, assisted living accommodation and educational facilities, with vehicle access currently taken from Queen Alexandra Road.
A full planning application for the residential development is expected to follow once the demolition Prior Notification has been determined.
Located in the Riverside Sunderland regeneration zone, the replacement Specialist Eye Hospital has recently been handed over by Kier, which delivered the 112,000 sq ft facility on behalf of the council and the South Tyneside & Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust.
The purpose-built facility will bring specialist eye care services to patients across the North East.
