Housing association invests £40m in Sunderland with new neighbourhood scheme

A new mixed tenure development in Sunderland part of a £44m investment is being put forward.

The development, in North Hylton, is part of the major £44m development by housing association Karbon Homes. It is aiming to build around 300 new homes for the city.

Karbon Homes is working with Sunderland City Council and Homes England to bring the £20m North Hylton site to fruition, aiming to develop 105 new ‘affordable’ homes.

The architects have responded to the Sunderland City Council brief to create a ‘high quality, distinct’ neighbourhood which integrates into the surrounding area. 

If approved, the homes will be built using both traditional construction and modern methods, including light gauge steel for the frames, making these homes supposedly easier to build than conventional ‘bricks and mortar’ construction.

The North Hylton site is expected to play a role in providing homes for workers on the new International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP) in nearby Washington, close to the Nissan factory on the A19.

Karbon has worked closely with Portland Consulting Engineers and surveyors Elliott Associates on the North Hylton project.

The completed homes will be a mix of rent-to-buy and affordable rent properties.

Subject to planning approval being secured, Karbon wants to start work on the new homes early in 2020. The development will be built in phases.

Ged Walsh, director of development and asset management at Karbon Homes, said: “This project represents a significant commitment from us to developing affordable, high quality homes in the city of Sunderland.

“Adding together this project in North Hylton, alongside the further seven sites in our programme, Karbon Homes and its partners are looking to build nearly 300 homes in Sunderland, and we look forward to bringing all these projects to fruition.”

Beyond the 105 homes at North Hylton, Karbon has recently submitted a planning application for 38 new homes in Houghton le Spring.

Karen Anderson, from Homes England, added: “It is great to be supporting Karbon Homes to deliver these homes that will create an intergenerational community - with housing options for people at different life stages - in an accessible location and close to future employment opportunities.

“Homes England wants to work with ambitious partners working on place making and this is a great example, transforming a derelict college site into high quality homes in a well-designed environment.”