Sunderland advances High Street West regen
Mixed-use plans have been submitted covering four development plots, with developer Capital&Centric drafted in to advise on masterplanning and design.
The project forms an integral part of the city council’s Riverside Sunderland masterplan and would bring modern retail, commercial, leisure, and residential spaces to an area where clearance projects took place earlier this year.
Sunderland City Council said that development here can add to the momentum created by investments in Culture House, the Flower Café, the Three Stories, and Elephant Tearooms.
Broadly, 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 alike.
The plans also include the removal of the enclosed footbridge which currently connects High Street West with the St Mary’s car park as part of a series of public realm improvements that will restore historic connections and enhance pedestrian access to the former Vaux site.
Cllr Kevin Johnston, portfolio holder for housing, regeneration and business at Sunderland City Council, said: “Riverside Sunderland is a world-class development and we’re now seeing it bear fruit with new bars, restaurants, workspaces and public realm opening and welcoming people into our city.
“This next phase of work will renew our high street, restoring and retaining some valuable heritage features, and bringing new life and vibrancy to this key location.
“It is a vital part of our ambition to support our businesses, generate more jobs, provide more high-quality new homes, and create more leisure destinations which attract people to live, work, and play in our city centre.”
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Keen to ensure the development reaches its maximum potential, Sunderland is working in partnership with Capital&Centric, which has built up a reputation for placemaking-led regeneration, with a host of Manchester projects and other developments such as Eyewitness Works in Sheffield.
Tim Heatley, co-founder of the developer, said: “We’re a team that loves creating awesome spaces. Working alongside the council, we believe we can create an exciting new mixed-use neighbourhood at High Street West, where a real community can come together and deliver sustainable change at the heart of Riverside Sunderland.”
Sharon Appleby, chief executive of Sunderland BID, added: “This latest transformational phase of Riverside Sunderland will bring vibrancy and footfall and connect the existing retail offer at the heart of the city with the new communities that are taking shape at either side of the fantastic new Keel Crossing.
“It is great to see the renewed sense of activity and enjoyment with increasing visitor numbers helping to support the growth of new and existing businesses.”
Riverside Sunderland aims to double the city centre’s residential population from 2,500 to 5,000 and create up to 10,000 new jobs.
