Farringdon Row
Farringdon Row extends to 5 ha (12.35 acres) and comprises land directly to the west of the former Vaux brewery. It forms part of a larger strategic regeneration area, which includes the Vaux site and Galley’s
Gill park area.
In 2006 a Development Framework was approved by Sunderland City Council to add detail to a land use allocation set out in the UDP Alteration No. 2 (Central Sunderland) Development Plan Document. It has subsequently been approved as Interim Planning Policy and will be used as a material consideration in the determination of planning applications for the comprehensive redevelopment of the Farringdon Row site.
The site offers a dramatic housing and commercial opportunity at an important gateway to the city centre. It is proposed to deliver development in three phases. Sunderland arc and its partners have undertaken a comprehensive programme of land assembly and remediation at Farringdon Row, to remove inappropriate industrial processes and clear allotments to create land ready for development.
The majority of the site (phases 1 & 2) is owned by the public sector: it is held by the Council on behalf of the Founder Members under the terms of a Joint Venture Agreement. Phase 3 of Farringdon Row remains in private ownership and although currently used as a timber yard, the owner has aspirations that accord with the Council’s Development Framework.
Developer CTP Ltd was appointed as preferred developer to deliver the first phase of Farringdon Row. Detailed planning consent has been obtained to provide a 124 bed hotel, 6,500m ² offices and 124 apartments. The overall financial viability of the scheme is under review in light of the current market conditions.
Phase 2 (2.4 ha) is earmarked for housing. Preparations for marketing have been undertaken. However, following extensive soft market testing in mid-2008; it became apparent the site would be unlikely to generate significant interest. It was therefore decided to defer offering the site for sale until residential market conditions improve.
