TOWN aiming to build in Sunderland’s creative neighbourhood

TOWN. have submitted a planning application for Nile+Villiers – a residential-led development project planned for a designated brownfield site – to Sunderland City Council.

The £20 million project, which was conceived by local community organisation Back on the Map, will reinstate Nile Street and Villiers Street, in Sunniside, central Sunderland’s creative neighbourhood. These streets, historically the hub for artisans including printers, cabinet-makers and textile workers, were demolished in the 2000s.

TOWN. is working as Development Manager on the project, appointed by Siligon Developers and working closely with Sunderland City Council. This partnership stems from our support of Sunderland City Council’s successful bid for Levelling Up funding in 2021. The scheme aims to deliver housing-led redevelopment of the brownfield site, with 75 new homes, including two- and three-bedroom houses and duplexes, alongside approximately 575 sqm of flexible commercial space. The project will also restore the frontage to High Street West, within the Old Sunderland Conservation Area, with a new mixed-use building.

The development is part of wider regeneration plans in Sunderland that looks to foster creative industries, increase the residential population and revitalise under-used buildings and spaces.

TOWN. is working with a design team led by Xsite Architecture on this project. Upon completion, 65 dwellings will be acquired by award-winning built-to-rent specialist Placefirst, with the remainder being sold to local buyers.

The development will prioritise environmental sustainability, incorporating an on-site community energy microgrid to supply clean, affordable energy to residents. Homes will be built to high sustainability standards using modern methods of construction, delivering on the Council’s strategy to build an ecology of housing innovation in the city using local skills and suppliers.

TOWN. Director, Neil Murphy said: ‘We’re very happy to have the chance to bring our experience and philosophy of sustainable, community-oriented housing to Sunniside. Having spent a lot of time with local residents and businesses already, we know how excited everyone is about the potential of Sunniside within a rapidly regenerating Sunderland, and the role the Nile + Villiers project can play in making change on the ground.’

Construction is set to begin later in 2024, subject to planning permission being granted.