Construction project decision imminent in Sunderland for extensive residential development
75 New Homes Project in Sunderland's City Centre
The city of Sunderland is set to see the development of 75 new homes in its city centre, as part of the Riverside Sunderland regeneration project. The proposed development, supported by over £4m from the government's levelling up fund, is slated to take place on a site bound by High Street West, Villiers Street, Coronation Street, and Nile Street.
If approved, the project will reinstate two streets demolished in the 2000s, contributing to the revitalisation of the area. The council's planning department has published a report recommending the housing scheme for approval, and the meeting regarding the plans will take place at City Hall next week at 5.30pm, with the public invited to attend.
The developer behind the project is TOWN, and the construction work, subject to planning permission being granted, could commence later this year. The project is a key element of a 10-year place strategy for the Sunniside area.
However, there have been concerns raised by Northumbria Police about the lack of on-site parking and potential neighbourly disputes due to a large number of vehicles trying to use the limited/restricted parking in the area. The council planners have stated that car parking for the site is considered acceptable for a city centre-located development, given the site's benefits from nearby car parking and good transport links.
The meeting next week will provide more insight into the progress of the project and any measures being taken to address the parking concerns raised by Northumbria Police. The project is part of a broader development plan for up to 600 homes at the Sheepfolds area, north of the river and linked by the new Keel Crossing, with remediation works planned for Autumn 2025 and housing development starting early Spring 2026 if consent is granted.
For the latest updates on the project, residents and interested parties are encouraged to attend the meeting at City Hall next week.
[1] Riverside Sunderland Regeneration Project Update, Sunderland City Council, August 2025.
- The development of 75 new homes in Sunderland's city centre, with the support of £4m from the government's levelling up fund, is part of a larger housing-market project called Riverside Sunderland Regeneration, which aims to revitalize the area and is a key element of a 10-year real-estate strategy.
- The proposed housing-finance project led by developer TOWN could potentially ease the demand for housing in Sunderland, with the construction work beginning later this year if planning permission is approved, as part of a broader development plan for up to 600 homes at the Sheepfolds area.
