New plan set to shape Sunderland's future growth

Sunderland City Council are commencing work on a new local plan that will set out the direction of major developments in Sunderland, subject to the approval of new council leaders.

Sunderland City Council's ruling cabinet is expected to green-light a move to create a new, simplified Local Plan, that aims to make it easier for communities to understand the key development projects planned for their area over the next 15-20 years, and to set out the authority's ambitions for supporting the delivery of new homes, jobs and infrastructure across the city.

As a frontrunner authority, Sunderland City Council will be one of the first to prepare a new style local plan following Government reforms to the planning system  The planning reforms involve a move away from producing large, technical planning documents and towards a faster, more digital, delivery-focused plan that sets a clear vision, measurable outcomes and a realistic route to delivering homes, jobs and infrastructure within a 30-month timetable.

The city's newly appointed Cabinet, which is meeting for the first time, will discuss the plan as part of a packed agenda of business on 25 June.

Councillor Chris Eynon, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: "We want to see development that is connected to our communities. We want people in Sunderland to understand what the council is delivering on their doorstep, and the impact it will have on their city and on their lives - whether it's about creating new jobs, new places for them to enjoy or new homes for them to live in.

This decision represents the start of the journey and there will be plenty of opportunities for local communities to engage with the process along the way, including an early engagement exercise on the scope and content of the local plan which is expected to commence in September.