A £27.7 million funding boost from Homes England is set to transform a long-underused riverside site in Sunderland, paving the way for more than 350 homes as part of the wider Riverside Sunderland regeneration project.
The investment, provided through Homes England’s Brownfield Infrastructure Land (BIL) Fund, will deliver the infrastructure needed to bring forward the residential development, including new roads, utilities, and active travel routes, as well as public areas.
Tom Bridges, executive regional director, North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, at Homes England, said: “Our long-standing partnership with the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority and Sunderland City Council continues to deliver real results for local people.
This latest funding will enable delivery of the next phase of Riverside Sunderland, one of the most exciting and impressive regeneration projects in England, and it will unlock much-needed new homes on brownfield land in the heart of Sunderland.
It will create a new neighbourhood that connects people to their city centre.
The Sheepfolds neighbourhood is expected to become the largest residential neighbourhood within Riverside Sunderland and forms part of Sunderland City Council’s ambition to deliver more than 1000 new homes across the city centre.
The latest funding builds on a £10 million investment from North East mayor Kim McGuinness and is intended to improve connectivity between the city centre and surrounding communities while helping to regenerate a site that has remained largely underused for many years.
The project will also build on the success of the Keel Crossing pedestrian bridge, linking the city centre with the Sheepfolds area, which opened last year with support from Homes England funding.
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Mayor Kim McGuinness added: “Everyone deserves a safe, affordable home, and my Plan for Homes is a huge step towards making that happen, as it aims to build new homes right across the region.
We’re committed to building 15,000 new social and affordable homes right across the region in the next decade.
Councillor Chris Eynon is leader of Sunderland City Council.
Councillor Chris Eynon added: “We’re delighted to have secured funding from Homes England that will enable delivery of infrastructure and public areas that will accelerate housing delivery, improve connectivity, and ensure the neighbourhood is fully integrated with the city centre and surrounding communities.
This investment marks another major milestone in delivering our vision for Riverside Sunderland.
For people in Sunderland, this development means that they can expect to see significant improvements in their city, with new homes, jobs, and opportunities being created.
The funding will also help to regenerate a site that has been underused for many years.