Sunderland City Council

Sunderland City Council
Civic Centre
Burdon Road
Sunderland
SR2 7DN

Tel. (0191) 520 5555

Calls may be recorded for quality and training purposes

Central Area Urban Design Strategy
Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)

Sunderland is entering a new and exciting era of positive change and growth. There is real potential to attract new investment, businesses, residents and visitors through a strategic and integrated approach to the City Centre’s regeneration.

In order to achieve a co-ordinated approach to the future development of the Central Area, Sunderland City Council and Sunderland arc commissioned David Lock Associates to prepare an Urban Design Strategy for the Central Area of Sunderland.

The Urban Design Strategy is an important step in reshaping the city’s heart. The Strategy establishes a clear vision for the type of place Sunderland wants to be, drawing together different development proposals and design guidance.

The aims of the Urban Design Strategy are to:

• establish a strong network of buildings, streets and spaces that delivers both quality and reflects the needs of Sunderland central area today;

• define the role of Sunderland central area and describe a range of opportunities that will contribute clearly to it; and

• deliver positive change that revitalises the central area and improves the image of Sunderland

The strategy sets out a bold vision for Sunderland. There is strong commitment from Sunderland City Council and Sunderland arc to the creation of a first class city. The strategy prioritises the design of the City’s central area for people so that they can move around easily and safely without getting lost or confused, and without feeling intimidated by traffic. The strategy will help encourage a top quality built environment that builds on the history and identity of Sunderland.

The City Council undertook a 6 week consultation process from Monday November 12th until Friday 21st December 2007. The document has been amended where appropriate in light of the comments received during the public consultation.

The document was adopted by the City Council on 25th July 2008 and as such will become a material consideration in the determination of all planning applications within the Central Area. Any person aggrieved by the SPD may apply to the High Court for permission to apply for Judicial Review of the decision to adopt the SPD. Any such application must be made promptly and in any event not later than 3 months from the date on which the SPD was adopted, this being 25th July 2008.

Adopted Documents

Central Area Urban Design Strategy SPD ( pdf logo