Plans to turn listed building into home approved

Langham Tower was built in 1889

Plans to turn a Grade II-listed building into a private home have been approved.

Langham Tower, which sits on the land bordered by Ryhope Road and Mowbray Road in Sunderland, could see at least five en-suite bedrooms, several lounges and a basement gym created across its multiple floors.

Although the council gave green light to the project, more permissions would be needed before work could start including a listed building consent.

Council planners said the work would "enable the conservation of an exceptional landmark listed building".

Langham Tower was built in 1889 and was one of the buildings used by Sunderland High School before its closure in 2016.

More recently, it has been used as a restaurant with function rooms.

The site was listed for a guide price of £850,000

A council decision report includes comments from the council’s conservation officer, who states the proposed change of use would "restore the building to its original designed use as a house".

It was also argued that the plans would "secure [the building's] long-term conservation and sustain its significance into the future".

In the council decision report, the council's conservation officer said : “The indicative proposed layouts have been discussed with the applicant and architect and represent a broadly sensitive approach, retaining and reinstating the historic floor plan wherever possible."

The site was recently listed on the property market by company Bradley Hall with a guide price of £850,000.

At the time of writing, a sign at the site confirms the building has been sold "subject to contract", the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.