Planning application submitted for Sheepfolds housing

The Sheepfolds regeneration at Riverside Sunderland is progressing at pace, with a planning application submitted for the first new homes.

Following the issue of a hybrid planning consent for the regeneration of the Sheepfolds neighbourhood, Vistry - the UK's leading provider of mixed-tenure homes - has lodged a reserved matters planning application for the first phase of residential development.

Vistry was selected as Sunderland City Council's development partner last year and has recently executed a development agreement with the Council which will allow it to progress with this important neighbourhood within the Council's ambitious city-centre regeneration scheme, Riverside Sunderland, which is delivering new homes, workspaces and leisure venues on both sides of the River Wear. 

Subject to receiving the appropriate consents, the initial phase of development will see 102 high-quality new homes built to the south of the new Housing Innovation and Construction Skills Academy. The properties will be located adjacent to the new Sheepfolds Mobility Hub which will be subject to its own reserved matters planning application which will be submitted by the Council in Summer 2026.

Following demolition of the former Edward Thompson Printworks, which is due to start imminently, Vistry will commence detailed design work for further phases of the development which will see circa 350 mixed-tenure dwellings delivered across the wider development site. 

Part of the vibrant Riverside Sunderland community, which boasts high-quality bars, restaurants and leisure facilities, as well attractive parks and green spaces, Sheepfolds will deliver much‑needed homes for Sunderland residents in a range of housing tenures. The development will feature bespoke house types, carefully designed to reflect the site's prominent riverside location and create a distinctive new neighbourhood, as well as commercial units offering a range of facilities which satisfy the needs of the local community.

The development of Sheepfolds represents the transformation of a former brownfield site, bringing new life, investment and opportunity to a previously underused area, while supporting sustainable regeneration and the long-term growth of the city. The site will become a neighbour to the popular Sheepfolds Stables - a destination leisure venue with food, drink and entertainment - and benefit from the increased accessibility to the city provided by the Keel Crossing.

Sean Egan, Regional Managing Director of Vistry North East, said:

"This landmark development is going to play a key role in supporting the continuing growth and transformation of Sunderland. Working in partnership with Sunderland City Council, we've developed an exciting proposal for the wider scheme which will deliver high-quality homes in a mix of housing tenures. The first phase of 102 homes will contribute positively to the city and its evolving riverside, and we're excited that the planning application has been submitted and the proposals can be shared with local residents, businesses and other stakeholders."

Councillor James Jackson, Cabinet Member for Business Housing and Regeneration at Sunderland City Council, added:

"Repopulating the city centre is an important aim of the Riverside Sunderland masterplan, and this new community - which will deliver hundreds of new homes - will boost the whole area, bringing footfall by day and night, supporting our local traders and ensuring the heart of the city is a vibrant and attractive place to live, work and play."

Sheepfolds is the largest of four residential communities being created at Riverside Sunderland, which will see 1,000 new city centre homes line the riverbanks, alongside new commercial and community spaces.  Vistry's Sheepfolds scheme comprises a mix of townhouses, duplexes and apartments on land between St Peter's Metro Station and the Housing Innovation and Construction Skills Academy (HICSA), which opened last year and delivers cutting-edge training to young people on modern methods of construction.

The scheme forms part of the recently announced Riverside Sunderland Creative Mayoral Development Zone and is being supported by £4.8m of Brownfield Housing Fund Grant administered by the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority.  

Homes England has also supported the development of Sheepfolds with funding to enable the development of the Keel Crossing and supporting infrastructure. The new footbridge opened last year and has transformed the connectivity between Sheepfolds and the City Centre.