Decision due on revised 450-home plans after Sunderland AFC objections

Proposals were initially submitted last year by Sunderland City Council to its own planning department for the land at Sheepfolds Industrial Estate, which is earmarked for major transformation under regeneration plans.

In August, SAFC owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus confirmed the club was lodging a formal objection to the original plans, which he said could have “catastrophic operational consequences” for the club and the Stadium of Light.

The ground was built with scope to extend the stadium to a potential 63,000 capacity by extending the top tier around the entire bowl and the club has already submitted a pre-application notification for re-development and extension of the South Stand.

Stadium Of Light Credit: LDRS

Hundreds of objections were also lodged by residents over the application.

However, in February, the club and council confirmed a new and adapted plan for 450 homes had been submitted, which alleviated the previous concerns thanks to the inclusion of a larger “buffer zone” around the stadium.

A statement from SAFC said they “look forward to seeing the proposals progress through the planning process”.

At the latest meeting of the city council’s economic prosperity scrutiny committee, an update was given on when a decision will be made on the proposals.

Neil Guthrie, council director of development and property, said the application, which includes outline permission for a site masterplan featuring 450 homes, is “due to be determined by the planning committee on the 23rd of April”.

CGI image showing how the new residential community at Sheepfolds could look Credit CREO / SCC

The proposals also include consent for a programme of site remediation work.

He added that, subject to the outline consent being granted, a more detailed reserved matters application to allow construction of phase one of the residential development, which would provide more than 100 homes, is expected to be submitted in May.

This would be delivered by Vistry Group and would be on land immediately to the south of the Housing Innovation and Construction Skills Academy.

Meanwhile in the south east corner of the Sheepfolds site the council is developing proposals for a new mobility hub featuring car parking, EV charging, cycle storage and other services.

Mr Guthrie added designs are being finalised and a planning application for that is again due to be submitted in May.