Homes England has announced a £27.7 million investment to support the Sheepfolds neighbourhood regeneration in Sunderland.
The money will be used to help transform the former industrial site, with more than 350 homes as part of Riverside Sunderland. £10 million has already been invested by the North East Mayor to complement Homes England's funding package.
This is the latest in collaboration between local authorities, Homes England and the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority, which recently announced a new delivery partnership to accelerate growth and house building across the North East.
The collaboration includes a joint Major Projects Delivery Unit which brings together expertise, resources and leadership from the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority, Homes England and local authority partners to unlock complex sites, support major developments and drive forward the region’s growth ambitions.
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. It will unlock much-needed new homes on brownfield land in the heart of Sunderland and create a vibrant new neighbourhood that connects people to their city centre.
"We’re building on the great momentum already created by the delivery of Keel Crossing and our wider regeneration efforts throughout the city, and we look forward to continuing to work with partners to transform the city centre for the people of Sunderland."
Cllr Chris Eynon, Leader of Sunderland City Council, said: "We’re delighted to have secured funding from Homes England that will enable delivery of infrastructure and public realm 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. Sheepfolds is a key part of our plans to create new homes, jobs and opportunities in the heart of the city, and its connectivity to the former Vaux site, through to the high street and wider city centre means this is a vital next step in our journey to regenerate the whole urban heart of Sunderland."
