Glassworks scheme reaches 'important milestone'

The proposed works would make the former Peter Smith Antiques building in Sunderland "wind and watertight"

Plans for the first phase of enabling works at a building earmarked for a new glassmaking hub have been officially submitted.

Sunderland City Council has submitted an application to its own planning department for the former Peter Smith Antiques building at Borough Road in the Sunniside area.

The warehouse site has previously been announced as the location for a replacement of the National Glass Centre, which is set to close in July as its owner, the University of Sunderland, says it would cost too much to repair.

Critics have called the plans a "massive downgrade".

Council documents have described the proposed Glassworks Sunderland as "a new hub for glassmaking in the city, offering specialist facilities for artists and the public to create and produce glass art".

It is expected to be operated by the arts organisation Sunderland Culture after a successful bid was made for £5m in government funding.

However, the finer details of the proposed development are awaited.

'Valued work'

The planning application submitted is for "phase one enabling works" which aim to "address building defects that are compromising the property's structural stability and external envelope".

A design, access and heritage statement prepared on behalf of the council notes the proposed works would "leave the building wind and watertight".

In a statement, the council described the application as an "important milestone" in efforts to bring the building back into use and explained £2.4m funding had been awarded by the North East Combined Authority to deliver a programme of essential repairs.

It added its focus "has been – and remains – to work with local, regional and national partners to seek to secure the future of glassmaking in Sunderland, ensuring artists and creators have a place to continue their valued work in the city".

A decision is due to be made by the end of the year and, if approved, work is set to be carried out by March, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The Save the National Glass Centre Campaign has previously raised concerns about "safety, location and cultural loss" along with concerns about introducing an "industrial process next to family homes".