Planning awarded for derelict site in Sunderland

Primo by Gladedale has announced it has been awarded planning permission by Sunderland Council for an £8 million project. The leading housebuilder is set to redevelop land to the rear of Neil Street together with the former Bat Cave Public House and Cross House on the junction with Pemberton Bank, Easington Lane’s main road.

The building, which has lain derelict for 15 years and has been persistently targeted by vandals, will be demolished and replaced as part of the development which comprises of 77 two, three and four bedroom affordable homes.

Gladedale is also investing over £350,000 in the local community to provide much-needed improvements to a number of local amenities. These will include the provision of new children’s play facilities, public open space as well as investing in new educational facilities.

Part of the Gladedale Group – one of the UK’s largest privately owned housebuilders – Primo is one of three developers investing in the Easington Lane Coalfield Regeneration Programme and is the first to kick-start the transformation of the area.

Len Worsfold, Managing Director of Primo by Gladedale said: “The Bat Cave is set within a prominent position in the village but over the years has fallen into disrepair and has become an eyesore, we will replace it with well designed two storey apartments.

“Our investment will create much-needed new housing and transform this now derelict site into a vibrant and highly sought-after housing development, and follows the successful developments in both Hetton le Hole and South Hetton”

Demolition work on the Bat Cave Public House is expected to begin in May 2008 and Primo by Gladedale will also demolish Cross House in order to give much needed improvements to the junction for road safety.

The project is part of Primo by Gladedale’s £45 million development programme to create more than 430 much-needed new homes to the north east of England in the first half of 2008.