Sunderland Council Signs Sunniside Pre-Development Pact

Sunderland City Council signed a pre-development agreement for the Sunniside regeneration project, a deal awarded under the developer-led framework managed by Pagabo on behalf of Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust.

The work builds on the council's Sunniside Place Strategy, launched in 2024. Supply chain partners through the English Cities Fund (ECF) partnership – made up of Homes England, L&G, and Muse – will support the effort. The ECF's aim is to combine public and private expertise for long-term regeneration in towns and cities across the UK.

Under the agreement, the council and its partners will shape the next phase of proposals for Sunniside. That phase includes funding and delivery strategies for the area, part of the Riverside Sunderland Creative Mayoral Development Zone.

A design team will be appointed to develop a masterplan, supported by planning and technical specialists. The team will also identify priority sites that can build early momentum.

Early estimates point to more than 1,000 homes across Sunniside, plus workspace, shops, and community spaces. The plan calls for integrating existing heritage assets and independent businesses into the project.

Feasibility work runs through 2026. If the results back it up, the council and its partners will move toward a full Development Agreement, which would allow detailed funding and delivery proposals for individual sites.