Community centre set for major revamp

Sunderland City Council has received an application for Easington Lane Community Access Point

A community centre is set for a revamp under new plans which would transform an old miners' welfare hall.

Sunderland City Council’s planning department has received an application for Easington Lane Community Access Point (ELCAP), which sits off Brick Garth in the Hetton ward.

The ELCAP charity offers events, activities, transport and room hire to the community, with activities at the site ranging from sports to cookery.

Renovations and extension works planned at the centre would encompass two buildings, including a former miners’ welfare hall and a community hall.

Part of the existing community hall would be demolished under the plans and an extension built in between the structures, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

There would also be a roof garden.

Plans include a new entrance and a roof garden

The project would include a central entrance point for both buildings, a new kitchen and larger dining space and an external seating area.

The layout of the existing community hall and miners’ hall toilets would also be redesigned to provide a more “efficient layout”, along with a new Changing Places accessible toilet facility.

The project would see an extension be built between two buildings

Those behind the scheme said the works aimed to create more space for services and facilities, and to allow the charity to use on-site space more creatively.

A decision on the planning application will be made after a period of council consultation.

Sunderland City Council’s planning portal website lists a decision deadline of June 26 2024.