A major plan to breathe new life into Sunderland’s seafront has been given outline permission by the city council.
A planning application from regeneration business Siglion that would see Seaburn transformed into a vibrant mixed-use family seaside destination now has the green light.
Permission was given for Siglion to proceed with its outline plan which currently sets out areas of Seaburn that are earmarked for leisure development and housing.
A masterplan will now be established, and work will progress on formally marketing the development to attract retail, hotel and leisure operators to the city.
Siglion is a joint venture between Carillion and Sunderland City Council, for which igloo Regeneration is providing development, asset and fund management.
It was launched in April 2015 to carry out Sunderland’s largest ever regeneration project.
It is regenerating five major sites across the city at the Vaux site, Seaburn and Chapelgarth then Farringdon Row and Numbers Garth.
It owns an investment portfolio of 100 industrial, retail and office properties with around 700 tenancies.
Siglion CEO John Seager said: “Seaburn is a really special place, with stunning natural assets and we want to maximise those, with a development that will establish it as a genuine leisure destination.
“We are delighted to be able to move forward with our plans, and look forward to delivering something really special that the people of Sunderland and beyond can enjoy.
“… we are excited to start pinning down the detail before delivering a development that will capitalise on the vast potential of the seafront as a distinctive, vibrant community where people can come to enjoy, and ensure that the city can attract and retain people who have perhaps not been able to find housing to meet their needs in Sunderland.”
Councillor Paul Watson, leader of Sunderland City Council and chair of Siglion, said: “Seaburn is a truly beautiful part of our city, but one that is underutilised as a leisure destination.
“Siglion’s proposal sets the scene to create a truly special place, that will add even more shine to what is already an idyllic beauty spot, only a short distance from the city centre.
“Over the coming weeks, they will be working with local residents to help develop a vision for the area that will deliver not only for people living here, but will prove attractive to people visiting our seaside.”
