Sunderland council receives plans for new retirement complex in Southwick

Chris Binding
·3-min read
Company McCarthy Stone has submitted a full planning application for 51 retirement apartments on the ex-Thornbeck College autism education centre site in the Southwick ward
-Credit: (Image: LDRS)


Plans have been officially lodged for "retirement apartments" on the site of a former school in Wearside. Sunderland City Council's planners are now reviewing an application for a 51-apartment complex located in the Southwick ward.

Adjacent to the development, there are houses and, to the north, the prominent Fulwell Quarry Nature Reserve and a site of special scientific interest (SSSI). The proposed "retirement apartments" will replace the old Thornbeck College autism education centre, which was taken down in 2018.

The project, situated off Sycamore Drive in Carley Hill, consists of a range of one and two-bedroom flats amidst landscaped gardens and provides 20 car parking spaces, including spaces for disabled users. According to the planning document submitted to the council, entrance to the complex is designed to be accessed from Sycamore Drive, with adequate space for vehicle turning incorporated.

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The submission emphasises that the development aims to deliver "high-quality retirement accommodation" within a "safe and secure environment for residents aged 60 and above". McCarthy Stone, described as a "leading provider of accommodation for older persons across the UK" in the documentation, is spearheading the project.

They explain that their goal is to increase the affordability, flexibility, and choice of later life housing options in response to a recognised shortfall in specialist accommodation for the older population in the UK. Housing options are deemed unsuitable or too costly. "Through the current strategy, McCarthy Stone is seeking opportunities to bring forward later living developments in areas of the country that have previously been unviable but where an identified need exists, so more people can access the benefits of this form of living in the most sustainable and accessible locations," they said.

"McCarthy Stone has developed a new development concept which exclusively appeals to elderly residents who reside in a lower-value home, for whom traditional retirement living developments are not a viable alternative." Earlier this year, a request was made for a ‘screening opinion’ on whether an environmental impact assessment (EIA) was necessary for the development. Council planners have since determined that an EIA is "not required".

The council's planning team will now decide on a full planning permission application for the retirement apartments, with a verdict expected next year. Developers have stated that the plans represent "much-needed specialist retirement accommodation which makes use of a sustainably located, previously developed site [...] whilst also being in close proximity to sustainable transport infrastructure".

The submitted planning statement further adds: "The retirement living complex will occupy the northern and western parts of the site and will consist of a single L-shaped building of three storeys. The location of the proposed development has been driven significantly by responding to neighbouring uses, responses from the community engagement, and from seeking to retain trees onsite.

“The building is located at the furthest extent of the site from adjacent residential dwellings to the east and south to ensure generous stand-off distances are achieved so there are no unacceptable impacts on privacy or amenity of the neighbouring residents.”

A verdict on the property development is anticipated following a council review period. As noted on Sunderland City Council’s planning portal, a decision should be reached by February 10, 2025.

For more details on the scheme or to follow its status, one can visit Sunderland City Council’s planning portal website and refer to application number: 24/02253/FU4.

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