Interim Strategy for Housing Land 
New Housing for the City for the next 15 years

Housing is possibly the single most important planning issue within Sunderland and the North East region at this time.  The main issues facing the City are:

• Reversing population decline

• Sustaining communities 

• Providing more homes of better quality and choice in sustainable locations

It is essential to have clear policies to guide the amount, location and timing of the release of new housing land to support regeneration and future development of the City.

The City Council has therefore prepared an Interim Strategy for Housing Land (ISHL) February 2006 to be used as the basis for reviewing the Council's current housing land policies, which are set out in the Unitary Development Plan (UDP).  The strategy will guide new house building in the City from 2004 to 2021.

The ISHL proposes a level of additional housing that aims to stem local out-migration and go someway towards returning the population to its 2001 level by 2016 (284,600).  To secure this position it will be necessary to plan for some 12,250 additional homes from 2004 to 2021. 

The Strategy will be used as the City Council's response to the Draft Regional Spatial Strategy consultation.  Its provisions will also be a material consideration in planning for housing land and guiding planning applications until its policies and land allocations can be incorporated into the Local Development Framework, being prepared to replace the UDP.

Interim Strategy for Housing Land Document ( 1.68mb)

A hard copy of the full report is available (for £12), copies are also available to view at all City libraries and Civic Centre 3rd Floor reception.

Links

planningpolicy@sunderland.gov.uk

UDP Homepage

Planning Policy Homepage