Plans for seafront children's park approved

The park is likely to be open early summer, the council said

Plans for a new outdoor children's park along the coast have been approved.

The facility, in Lowry Road, Seaburn, will feature "bespoke play equipment" to make it more accessible.

Work is due to begin later in February and it is hoped the play area will open in early summer.

CCTV will also be installed in response to concerns from Sunderland councillors around the site's security.

The park will have "bespoke play equipment" to make it more accessible

The project is estimated to cost nearly £1.5m, with a funding agreement between the Labour-led council and its regeneration company Siglion Developments LLP.

The plans were developed with input from children from Seaburn Dene Primary School.

According to planning documents it will have a bridge, walkways, landscaping and several “discrete play areas”, as well play towers and climbing walls.

The site will also be enclosed after concerns were raised about safety during heavy rain.

'Free play for families'

It was noted that the play area had been designed to “become a park of regional significance, with a view to attracting visitors from across the North East and beyond”, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Melanie Thornton, chair of Sunderland council's planning and highways committee, said: “I love applications like this coming forward because I’m a strong advocate of free play for families.

“Families visiting our wonderful coast will then have the opportunity to spend an hour or two playing in a beautiful facility like this”.

Kevin Johnston, cabinet member for dynamic city, said it had been "great" to get schoolchildren involved in influencing the design.

“We can’t wait to see the looks on their faces when it comes to fruition,” he added.