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Retirement flats planned for old school site

A general view of the entrance to Sycamore Drive in SunderlandImage source, Google
Image caption,

Company McCarthy stone wants to build 51 retirement apartments

  • Published

Plans have been revealed for dozens of retirement apartments to be built on the site of a now-demolished school.

Company McCarthy Stone is behind the project for 51 apartments of one or two bedrooms each, to be built in Sunderland on the land of the former Thornbeck College autism centre.

The plans would include a three-storey L-shaped building, with a garden area for residents, as well as 20 parking spaces, on the land at Sycamore Drive.

Documents submitted by the company to Sunderland City Council said the 1960s structure had been severely damaged by fire and had attracted antisocial behaviour after it closed.

It was later demolished in 2018 and the site is currently grassland with some hardstanding, but no buildings.

Documents published on Friday show the company has asked Sunderland City Council whether it is required to submit an environmental impact assessment, before it applies for permission to build.

The council's planning portal shows a decision is yet to be made.

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