(Image: Supplied)
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Search the Public Notice Portal A major North East housing development has taken a significant step forward after securing £27.7 million in government funding to help transform a long-underused riverside site.
The funding, announced as part of Homes England’s Brownfield Infrastructure Land (BIL) Fund, will support the transformation of the Sheepfolds neighbourhood in Sunderland.
The former industrial site is set to become the largest residential area within the Riverside Sunderland project.
More than 350 new homes are planned for the site, with £10 million already invested from the North East Mayor.
An architect’s impression of the complete Sheepfolds neighbourhood
(Image: Supplied)
Tom Bridges, executive regional director for the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber at Homes England, said: "Our long-standing partnership with the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority and Sunderland City Council continues to deliver real results for local people.
"This latest funding will enable delivery of the next phase of Riverside Sunderland, one of the most exciting and impressive regeneration projects in England.
"It will unlock much-needed new homes on brownfield land in the heart of Sunderland and create a vibrant new neighbourhood that connects people to their city centre."
The Sheepfolds development forms part of Sunderland City Council’s wider ambition to build more than 1,000 new homes in the city centre.
The homes are part of the Riverside Sunderland Creative Mayoral Development Zone, which aims to repopulate and revitalise the urban core.
The investment will deliver critical infrastructure including roads, utilities and improved active travel routes, all designed to better connect the development to the city centre and nearby communities.
This project builds on the momentum of the Keel Crossing pedestrian footbridge, which opened last year and was unlocked by Homes England funding.
The bridge connects the planned housing development and popular nearby leisure venue Sheepfolds Stables to the heart of the city centre.
Mr Bridges said: "We’re building on the great momentum already created by the delivery of Keel Crossing and our wider regeneration efforts throughout the city, and we look forward to continuing to work with partners to transform the city centre for the people of Sunderland."
Chris Eynon, leader of Sunderland City Council, said the funding represents a pivotal moment in the city’s regeneration plans.
Mr Eynon said: "We’re delighted to have secured funding from Homes England that will enable delivery of infrastructure and public realm that will accelerate housing delivery, improve connectivity, and ensure the neighbourhood is fully integrated with the city centre and surrounding communities.
"This investment marks another major milestone in delivering our vision for Riverside Sunderland.
"Sheepfolds is a key part of our plans to create new homes, jobs and opportunities in the heart of the city, and its connectivity to the former Vaux site, through to the high street and wider city centre means this is a vital next step in our journey to regenerate the whole urban heart of Sunderland."
The project has also been praised by North East Mayor Kim McGuinness, who has placed housing at the centre of her regional strategy.
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Ms McGuinness said: "Everyone deserves a safe, affordable home, and my Plan for Homes is a huge step towards making that happen.
"We’re committed to building 15,000 new social and affordable homes right across the region in the next decade.
"But we’re already investing to make that happen.
"We’re transforming derelict sites, like the one at Sheepfolds, with a vibrant new neighbourhood."