Sunderland greenlights Nile + Villiers

Unanimous approval has been given to the 75-home project, destined for the Sunniside area as a key plank of Sunderland’s drive to increase city centre living.

Spanning Nile and Villiers Streets, the new community will comprise a mix of city centre terraced homes, maisonettes and creative workspaces.

Plans were lodged in spring for the development, which will also include 4,300 sq ft of commercial and community space across 10 units.

Development manager Town and Create Streets are leading the project on behalf of Sunderland City Council, having been tasked to help regenerate the vacant site in-line with the council’s ambition of creating more than 1,000 new homes in the city centre.

Construction work is now expected to begin over the coming months.

Cllr Kevin Johnston, portfolio holder for housing, regeneration and business at Sunderland City Council, said: “It is fantastic to see work pressing ahead on the development of the Nile + Villiers community.

“The new homes, as well as the commercial and community units, will provide a significant economic boost to the local area and play a key role in helping us meet our ambitious housing targets.”

Over the next decade, Sunderland wants to deliver 1,000 homes across Sunniside, the Riverside Sunderland masterplan area and West Park, on the site of the former Civic Centre. A 10-year strategy is in place for Sunniside.

Town is the development manager. Credit: via Creo

Upon completion, 65 of the homes at Nile + Villiers will be acquired by built-to-rent specialist Placefirst, with the remaining homes being sold to the public.

David Mawson, chief executive of Placefirst, said: “Once complete, Nile + Villiers will be a key element in the regeneration of Sunderland, and as developer-operators, we understand the crucial role that quality and secure housing plays in any ambitious city undergoing transformation.

“In partnership with Town and Sunderland City Council, the scheme will see the delivery of high-quality housing solutions in the right area to meet local housing needs. Alongside our people-first approach to renting, our professionally managed homes will ensure that the evolving needs of tenants are met, as Sunderland prepares to welcome many residents back to the city centre.”