Decision date set for 450-home plan near Sunderland's Stadium of Light | OneFootball

A decision on revised outline plans for 450 homes beside Sunderland's Stadium of Light is due this month, after proposals were reworked following concerns raised by club chiefs.

According to Sunderland Echo, council development and property director Neil Guthrie said the application is due to be determined by the planning committee on 23 April.

Sunderland City Council lodged the initial plans last year for the Sheepfolds Industrial Estate, earmarked for major regeneration. In August, owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus confirmed SAFC would formally object, warning the original layout could have catastrophic operational consequences for the club and stadium. The stadium was designed to allow expansion to 63,000, and the club has lodged a pre-application to redevelop and extend the South Stand.

Hundreds of residents also objected. In February, the club and council announced a revised scheme with a larger buffer zone around the ground, which they said alleviated the earlier concerns. The club said it looks forward to the proposals progressing through the planning process.

The outline plans also seek consent for site remediation. If approved, a reserved matters bid for phase one, providing more than 100 homes, is expected in May, to be delivered by Vistry Group on land immediately south of the Housing Innovation and Construction Skills Academy. Separately, a mobility hub is being developed for the south east corner, including parking, EV charging, cycle storage and other services, with designs being finalised and a planning application due the same month.

Source: Sunderland Echo