Images show council's vision for housing estate plans

Planning permission has been granted for the first section of the Way of Light

Images have been unveiled of how a former industrial estate could look once it has been transformed into new housing.

The Sheepfolds in Sunderland will be demolished to make way for hundreds of homes, with the project still subject to planning permission.

CGI shows the area from key vantage points, including the riverfront and at sites near St Peter’s metro station.

Neil Guthrie, from the city council, said the process to find a developer would begin in the coming weeks.

In recent months, applications have been approved to demolish several old factory units and industrial units on the site.

The Grade II listed Sheepfolds Stables which once housed working horses is being redeveloped as a leisure venue with restaurants and bars due to open at the end of the summer.

A planning application for housing is expected to be submitted in the future once a developer is appointed, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

New homes would be linked to the city centre by a new pedestrian and cycle bridge over the River Wear, which is currently under construction.

Sunderland City Council aims to build 600 homes north of the river

Work to the western part of the estate will aim to connect Sunderland city centre with the Stadium of Light, and includes bars, restaurants and community facilities, the council said.

There are also plans to create a mobility hub with access to car sharing and bikes to the east.

The images were revealed as part of a wider update on projects linked to the Labour-led council's development arm, Siglion.

Demolition of the Sheepfolds Industrial Estate is underway

Mr Guthrie said work had been carried out looking at how the flow of pedestrians would be managed, particularly on match days and concert events, and "how we protect the residential community from that traffic flow".

The council will begin the procurement process to find a developer to build the 600 homes in the next four to six weeks.

It is hoped that work would start before the end of March, 2026.