Stadium Village Development Framework

Stadium Village is one of Sunderland's priority central area development sites. The redevelopment of the site would contribute towards the creation of a great place to live, work and play. In addition to a world class sports village around the Stadium of Light and the Aquatic Centre, proposals include new leisure facilities (including a real snow indoor ski slope), offices, hotels and homes.

Location
The Stadium Village Development Framework area sits on a broad plateau on the north bank of the river Wear, north of Sunderland city centre. The 30ha development opportunity comprises two adjacent development sites:

• Stadium Park, formerly occupied by the Wearmouth Colliery, which is now dominated by the Stadium of Light and the Sunderland Aquatic Centre
• Sheepfolds which lies to the south of Stadium Park and consists largely of industrial buildings

What is the Development Framework?
Alteration Number 2 to the Unitary Development Plan (UDP) identifies Stadium Park and Sheepfolds as comprehensive development sites, suitable for a mix of land uses. Further information can be found on UDP Alteration Number 2 (Central Sunderland). The area needs a comprehensive high level development framework to cover both sites that will set out appropriate land uses and development principles for its future redevelopment.

It is envisaged that Stadium Village will be brought forward on a phased basis by a number of different developers. In addition to the high level framework, developers will therefore be required to prepare more detailed masterplans of each particular phase and the areas immediately adjacent.

Consultation
An initial draft Stadium Village Development Framework was prepared by Sunderland arc (the former Area Regeneration Company for Sunderland) and the City Council and was subject to public consultation in early 2009. 

Following the consultation, healthy interest was received from developers proposing to build an indoor real ski slope at Stadium Village. As a result of this proposal and comments received from the initial consultation, the development framework and accompanying Sustainability Appraisal and Appropriate Assessment Screening report were amended.

In order to give people who work, live in and visit Sunderland the opportunity to submit their views on the proposals within the amended draft development framework, we undertook a secondary consultation between Wednesday 11 November and Tuesday 22 December 2009.

Over 170 responses were received as part of the consultation, with 142 providing comments and supporting proposals.

The comments received informed the preparation of a final Stadium Village Development Framework.  This final version was presented at the our Environment and Attractive Scrutiny Committee and Planning and Highways Committee.  Subsequently the framework was then taken forward to Cabinet on 10 March 2010 whereby Council Members adopted the document as a Supplementary Planning Document.  The framework now forms part of the Council's Local Development Framework and carries weight as a material consideration when determining relevant planning applications within Stadium Village.

With effect from March 2011 Sunderland arc ceased to exist.  Areas covered by Sunderland arc now fall within the remit of the City Council.  For general enquiries please contact the Planning Implementation team at implementation@sunderland.gov.uk.  However, if you have an investment or developer enquiry please contact our Business Investment team on business.investment@sunderland.gov.uk or telephone 0191 305 1194.