Homes England invests £27.7m to unlock 350-home Sunderland scheme
The investment at the Sheepfolds neighbourhood will help regenerate the former industrial site by funding infrastructure and public realm works needed to bring forward the residential development.
The funding package, which is supported by a further £10m investment from the North East Mayor, will enable the delivery of new roads, utilities and active travel routes, improving connections between the city centre and surrounding communities.
The Sheepfolds neighbourhood is set to become the largest residential area within Riverside Sunderland, forming part of the city’s plans to deliver new homes, attract investment, and support economic growth.
The announcement follows the creation of a delivery partnership between the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority and Homes England, designed to accelerate major regeneration and housing projects across the region.
The new Sheepfolds neighbourhood will support Sunderland City Council’s wider ambition to deliver more than 1,000 new homes across the city centre and forms part of the Riverside Sunderland Creative Mayoral Development Zone, playing a pivotal role in repopulating and reenergising the city.
Vistry will deliver the housing, and submitted a planning application in July for 102 homes on land to the south of the Housing Innovation and Construction Skills Academy, forming the first residential element of the wider mixed-use neighbourhood.
The latest investment builds on previous Homes England funding for the area, including support for the Keel Crossing pedestrian bridge, which opened last year and provides a link between the planned neighbourhood, the Sheepfolds Stables leisure venue and Sunderland city centre.
The Sheepfolds scheme forms part of Riverside Sunderland, a major regeneration programme aimed at creating new homes, workspace, leisure facilities and public spaces across the city.
Tom Bridges, executive regional director, North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, at Homes England, said: “This latest funding will enable delivery of the next phase of Riverside Sunderland, one of the most exciting and impressive regeneration projects in England. It will unlock much-needed new homes on brownfield land in the heart of Sunderland and create a vibrant new neighbourhood that connects people to their city centre.
“We’re building on the great momentum already created by the delivery of Keel Crossing and our wider regeneration efforts throughout the city, and we look forward to continuing to work with partners to transform the city centre for the people of Sunderland.”
Cllr Chris Eynon, Leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “This investment marks another major milestone in delivering our vision for Riverside Sunderland. Sheepfolds is a key part of our plans to create new homes, jobs and opportunities in the heart of the city, and its connectivity to the former Vaux site, through to the high street and wider city centre means this is a vital next step in our journey to regenerate the whole urban heart of Sunderland.”
North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness, said: “Everyone deserves a safe, affordable home, and my Plan for Homes is a huge step towards making that happen. We’re committed to building 15,000 new social and affordable homes right across the region in the next decade.
“But we’re already investing to make that happen. We’re transforming derelict sites, like the one at Sheepfolds, with a vibrant new neighbourhood. It’s just shows that we’re ambitious with our plans for Sunderland whether that’s backing Crown Works Studios, regenerating the city centre or building new affordable homes.”
