Final decision delivered as developers try and build 109 new affordable homes near North East nature reserve
Plans for an affordable homes development in the Southwick area near a nature reserve have been given the final stamp of approval by council development bosses.
Sunderland City Council’s planning department has approved a “reserved matters” application for land north of Emsworth Road in the Carley Hill area.
The plans from Gentoo Group, submitted earlier this year (2025), sought permission for the development of 109 homes with associated access, landscaping and infrastructure.
This was because the proposed housing site sits near the Fulwell Quarry Local Nature Reserve, however, council planning officers at the time confirmed a section of Green Belt included in the Gentoo scheme, to the north of the site, would not be used for houses but instead, solely for “ecological landscaping.”
Proposed works included “improved planting” and creating a “landscape buffer” to a nearby site of special scientific interest (SSSI).
Supporting planning documents noted the proposed 109 “new affordable homes” would include a “mix of bungalows, apartments, terraced and semi-detached houses”, all benefiting from “private outdoor space”.
The proposed housing mix included six bungalows, a mix of two-bedroom, three-bedroom and four-bedroom “family houses” making up around 67 homes in the wider development and 36 apartments, with a mix of one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments, along with resident and visitor parking.
Vehicle access was proposed via Emsworth Road, with “pedestrian connections maintained and enhanced along the eastern and southern site boundaries, providing access to the nearby nature reserve to the north”.
Plans also confirmed the development would benefit from “areas of informal open space within the site for recreation, play, and community gathering” and “apartment gardens”, described as private garden units within the apartment block plots.
A ‘reserved matters statement’ confirmed the development would include “proposed play space positioned within the centre of the site and open space to the north of the site”.
Design images also noted a landscape buffer would still be provided between the housing development and the nearby SSSI, as well as development being focused on the south of the site to “minimise impact” on the SSSI.
During a council public consultation exercise on the plans, two objections were received linked to sewerage capacity and the impact of new homes in this context.
The concerns, summarised in a council decision report, included “concern that there will not be sufficient sewage network capacity to cope with the waste water that will be produced by the development.”
Council planners noted that the principle of developing the site for housing had been established years ago when outline planning permission was granted, which included “agreeing key principles of the drainage strategy which were conditioned as part of the consent further to agreement with the LLFA [Lead Local Flood Authority] and Northumbrian Water”.
It was noted that the council’s planning department, when considering the reserved matters application, was “unable to revisit matters which informed the original planning permission” and that objectors’ comments were “not material to the consideration of this application.”
After considering the reserved matters planning application, Sunderland City Council’s planning department approved it on December 12, 2025.
Council planners, in a decision report, concluded that plans were acceptable and would “afford residents good quality areas of usable open space, whilst providing housing plots which are of a reasonable size and appropriately laid out”.
The council decision report adds: “With reference to the scale and appearance of the development, this is also considered to be acceptable relative to the location of the site and officers are satisfied that the scheme will generate appropriate levels of visual interest and create an attractive residential environment.
“With regard to the landscaping, the submission makes it clear that landscaping sits at the core of the development and officers welcome the fact that a high-quality landscaping scheme has been provided which meets the aspirations of the outline consent.
“A suitable means of vehicular access to the site has been provided from Emsworth Road and appropriate connectivity and permeability has been provided within the site to accommodate cyclists and pedestrians alike.”
Gentoo Group, in a previous statement this year (August 2025), said work on the site was anticipated to begin “within the next two years”, subject to planning permission being granted.
Joanne Gordon, homes and development director at Gentoo Group, described the reserved matters approval this month as “an important step towards delivering much‑needed affordable homes in this area of North Sunderland”.
“Our plans would create 109 affordable, energy‑efficient homes, a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom houses, bungalows and apartments to meet local housing need and support the creation of a sustainable community which aligns with Sunderland’s climate and sustainability objectives,” she said.
“The layout prioritises safe, walkable streets and accessible green space, delivering biodiversity enhancements and providing open space, including a landscaped buffer beside Fulwell Quarry SSSI, wildflower meadows, butterfly scrapes and extensive native tree planting.
“The scheme will provide an affordable home for more than 240 people, support around 138 local jobs during construction, generate approximately £17.5 million economic output during construction and create an additional council tax income of over £172,000.
“Subject to securing Social and Affordable Homes Programme grant funding, it is anticipated that work could start on site in the next year.
“In July we consulted local residents on the proposals and will continue to keep residents informed as plans progress.”
For more information on the plan and council decision, visit Sunderland City Council’s planning portal website and search reference: 25/01753/REM
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