Carlisle housebuilder plans to bring 450 new homes and 360 jobs to Sunderland

Story Homes is planning to build 450 new homes for Sunderland.

The housebuilder is aiming to work with Sunderland City Council to deliver developments across the city, representing a £90m commitment from the Carlisle-headquartered company.

The family-owned business - which has a 30-year heritage of designing and building homes across the North of England and Southern Scotland - has live and completed sites across the wider North East area, but the announcement represents the company’s first steps into Sunderland.

It is a move that could support the employment of around 360 people and create approximately 58 affordable homes, whilst contributing to education, open space and community sport and leisure facilities across the city.

Fred Story, Story Homes’ CEO and founder, said: “We are delighted to be entering the market in Sunderland, where we know we can make a positive and significant contribution to the city’s housing supply.

“Our homes will bring a fantastic new offer to the area and we know that these upcoming sites will bring many economic benefits locally.”

Story has been confirmed as the preferred partner to develop the second phase of family homes on Potters Hill, close to Chapelgarth and Moorside.

Miller Homes is currently on site delivering 160 new homes, with future phases designed to create individual character areas with connecting green spaces and community focal points.

Potters Hill is one of a number of new housing schemes planned or underway in Sunderland, that aims to see over 7,000 new properties rise from the ground over the coming 10 years.

Fred added: “Story Homes commends Sunderland City Council for the work they are doing in promoting and improving the city and their actions have been a major factor in our decision to strongly invest in the city.

“The council has been very proactive in helping us to bring forward our plans and we are very much looking forward to getting started once planning approvals are secured.”

Sunderland City Council has also revealed its plans to develop new city centre homes on the former Vaux Brewery site, as well as on the opposite side of the river, close to the Stadium of Light.

Cllr Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, added: “We are delighted that a company renowned for the quality of its developments has spotted the potential that Sunderland represents, and we are sure this will add enormous value to the city.

“We have a really compelling offer in the city - our fantastic connectivity, our stunning natural assets like the seaside, parkland and cultural offer - so we know that we are an attractive place to live already.

“However, high-quality homes of different sizes and styles are critical to attracting diverse communities to our city. Story’s commitment to Sunderland - along with that of other developers - will enable this and we’re looking forward to working with them.”

The developer is continuing to focus on growth and expansion across the region and will begin work on four new North East developments this year, which are set to deliver a further 540 homes.

The news of Story Homes’ investment in the city follows other investment announcements, including Ocado’s plans to open a base in Sunderland weeks after work on THE BEAM had completed.

The second phase of work on the former Vaux Brewery site will see a new City Hall for Sunderland, set to get underway within weeks.