Sunderland seeks developer for Sheepfolds housing

Avison Young has been appointed to secure a development partner, as the city council looks to release its ambition of building 600 homes in the area.

Sheepfolds is a key part of the Riverside Sunderland masterplan, as the council looks to bring forward a belt of development up to and across the New Wear Footbridge, set to open next year, towards the Stadium of Light.

The Sheepfolds Stables leisure development opened this summer, and a Housing Innovation & Construction Academy is under construction. Housing, part of a municipal drive to increase city living, is the next step.

A tender notice was published on Bidstats on 27 August for the project, with a deadline of 26 September. As stated there, the construction works value could be up to £50m.

Other Riverside Sunderland projects include the Eye Hospital, Culture House, British Esports Arena (also across the Wear from the city centre), Riverside Park, Placefirst’s Farringdon Row residential, St Mary’s Boulevard and leisure in Keel Square.

The intended first phase of the Sheepfolds delivery plan is for around 160 homes.

Mark McKelvey, director at Avison Young, said: “The Sheepfolds Masterplan envisages c600 dwellings, a potential new school, community facilities, high quality public realm and a pedestrian bridge linking Sheepfolds to the south of the river. The first phase includes c160 dwellings and a mobility hub.

“Sunderland City Council and Avison Young are working to secure a developer that can deliver the council’s aspirations and add to the substantial progress that has already been made in regenerating Sunderland city centre.”