6 hours Ago By [email protected] (Chris Binding)
Plans have been submitted to council development chiefs for the demolition of a major city centre building, potentially paving the way for student accommodation. Sunderland City Council has lodged an application with its own planning department for Bridge House on Bridge Street. The vacant three-storey office block is situated near a key entrance into Sunderland city centre and next to the Wearmouth Bridge roundabout.
The city council's new plans are seeking permission to raze the site to "unlock the site for future development". In a statement, Sunderland City Council confirmed that student accommodation is being considered as a potential future use for the land. The demolition plans for the building have been submitted with several supporting documents, including a covering letter detailing the works.
The letter reveals the council's intention to redevelop the Bridge House site to "complement the continued regeneration of Riverside Sunderland". It was argued that the works were "necessary to ensure the continued regeneration and redevelopment of this part of Sunderland city centre". The covering letter further states: "The site is located within an area undergoing imminent and positive change, with modern residential and commercial development coming forward on nearby sites as part of the adjacent Riverside Sunderland regeneration project.
Indeed, the council has bold ambitions to establish this area of the city centre over the next 20 years." The applicant is planning the redevelopment of the Bridge House site to complement the continued regeneration of Riverside Sunderland, in line with the council's ambitions for the area as a successful business location, a popular place for people to live, and a focal point for civic, cultural and community life. Planning permission is being sought for the demolition of the existing office block on the site, which is expected to proceed before detailed proposals for the site's redevelopment are drawn up.
The planning application confirms that the site is council-owned, but does not specify when the demolition will take place or how long it will take. If approved, the demolition would involve erecting a "hoard-it system fence erected to the perimeter of the site to prevent unauthorised access" around the site to prevent unauthorised access, stripping the roofs of all coverings and dismantling the structures, and reducing the brickwork walls by a combination of hand demolition and mechanical means. Materials from the site would be separated, sorted, and taken to recycling stations.
Temporary traffic regulation orders would also be put in place for public safety and access reasons, including a partial footpath closure to Bridg. The closure of the street and a nearby subway off Wear Street West is set for the duration of the ongoing works. A representative from the council said: "The city council and its partners are progressing at pace with the widespread regeneration of Riverside Sunderland, the Sunniside neighbourhood, and the wider city centre.
" High Street West and the Bridge House site have been identified as key locations for further investment as we build on the successful delivery of The Beam, City Hall, Keel Square Hotel, the new Eye Hospital, Maker & Faber, the New Wear Footbridge, and Culture House. "The council has recently submitted a planning application for demolition and enabling works at the vacant Bridge House site." This is to unlock the site for future development and attract more investment to create new opportunities for residents and businesses.
"Several future uses are under consideration, including student accommodation, and we will provide further updates in due course." An official determination regarding the demolition of Bridge House will come after a period of council consultation has finished. Sunderland City Council’s planning portal states that the decision deadline is January 27, 2025.
Those interested in more details about the demolition initiative or wishing to follow its progress should visit the council's planning portal website and use the reference: 24/02437/LP3 . Should there be any plans for student accommodation development on the site, it would necessitate a separate planning application to Sunderland City Council. Join our Sunderland WhatsApp community for all the latest news Sunderland news sent direct to your phone.
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