Councillors approve revised Sheepfolds homes plan beside Stadium of Light | OneFootball

Sunderland councillors have cleared a scaled-back housing scheme for the Sheepfolds site beside the Stadium of Light.

According to Sunderland Echo, the hybrid application covers demolition and seeks outline consent for up to 456 homes, an aparthotel, a mobility hub, offices and commercial, health, nursery, restaurant and cafe uses.

Initial proposals last year for up to 600 homes drew hundreds of objections and an objection from Sunderland AFC after Kyril Louis-Dreyfus warned of severe operational risks.

Earlier this year the club and council confirmed a redesign for around 450 homes, with a larger buffer that addressed their concerns.

Appointed developer Vistry Group will build in phases, delivering apartments, townhouses, maisonettes and family homes for build to rent and market sale. A phase-one reserved matters bid for more than 100 homes is expected in May.

Officers said the scheme would add homes on under-used brownfield land and support the economy. The mobility hub would offer nearly 200 spaces including accessible and EV bays, plus a concierge and parcel lockers.

Officers also said drainage works would cut flows into the existing Northumbrian Water combined sewer. Campaigner Bob Latimer urged a deferral or conditions to verify the sewerage network can cope before occupation.

A council report cited two recent Planning Inspectorate decisions in South Tyneside cases and noted no objections from Northumbrian Water, the Environment Agency or the council flood authority. The vote was unanimous, and the application now goes to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Source: Sunderland Echo