Gentoo begins work on housing development in Sunderland neighbourhood

Gentoo Group has been given approval to kickstart its 900-home development plan across the region.

The new development - situated near the historic Hylton Castle - has been granted planning permission by Sunderland City Council. There are currently 56 homes being developed which will form part of the wider 900-home scheme.

The site is the precursor to Gentoo’s new ‘Affordable Homes Plan’, which will bring 900 additional homes for rent to Sunderland by 2024.

Plans for the Downhill site feature a collection of 56 contemporary new build houses including two-bedroom bungalows and two and three-bedroom family homes.

The location is near Sunderland city centre, with heritage sites such as Roker Beach, the National Glass Centre and the Stadium of Light close by.

Joanne Gordon, development director at Gentoo Group, said: “We are delighted that the plans for Downhill have been approved.

“Gentoo are dedicated to providing great affordable homes for rent in Sunderland to meet the needs of our tenants and these 56 new homes are an excellent start.

“We can’t wait to see the plots start to develop and residents move in, to start their future in one of our new homes.”

The homes, once complete, will mark the end of the regeneration of the site off Kidderminster Road, started Gentoo in 2016. It involved the construction of 71 new homes.

Building work is expected to get underway in spring 2020 with the first residents moving in, in autumn of the same year.