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A former Poundstretcher site is to become student accommodation.
The upper floor of 8 Maritime Terrace in Sunderland city centre will be converted into an 11-bedroom student development, after plans were approved by Sunderland City Council.
The building, which later operated as a bed shop, currently houses several businesses on the ground floor, including a phone shop.
Under the plans submitted by Kamu Properties Ltd, the first floor will be transformed into en-suite bedrooms with shared kitchen, dining, and laundry facilities.
A design and access statement described the scheme as offering "high-quality, purpose-built student accommodation in a highly sustainable city centre location."
The statement also noted that the accommodation is "specifically designed for full-time higher education students" and would bring a "tired upper-floor façade up to modern standards" and back into active use.
Original plans proposed nine double-occupancy rooms and two single-occupancy rooms to house up to 20 students.
However, following concerns from Northumbria Police and planning officers about potential conflicts arising from higher occupancy, the scheme was amended to provide 11 single-occupancy rooms.
Sunderland City Council approved the application on September 25, 2026.
A council decision report stated that the development would offer a "good standard of living accommodation for future occupiers" and contribute to an "improvement to the existing façade."
Planning officers concluded that the scheme would "not have a negative impact on the wider area or on the prospective occupiers" in terms of residential amenity.
The report also addressed parking and transport considerations.
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It stated: "Further to consultation with the council’s highway engineer, it has been confirmed that the development is within the S2 City Centre parking zone, whereby parking can be relaxed.
"The proposed site has good links to public transport, with the rail and Metro station within close walking proximity.
"The proposals have provided space for cycle storage within the building which is also welcomed."