Housing plan blocked after hundreds of objections
Persimmon HomesPlans for a housing development have been blocked following hundreds of public objections.
Persimmon Homes sought to build 58 properties on land at Mulberry Way in the Houghton area of Sunderland, but a consultation found significant public opposition, with about 122 formal objections and a 151-signature petition.
Labour-led Sunderland City Council rejected the proposals with public concerns including loss of greenspace, highway safety, flood risk, wildlife impacts and the developer's "violation of previous planning promises".
A Persimmon Homes spokesperson said it was disappointing that developers had "not been able to find a way forward" with the council to "deliver much-needed new housing".
Persimmon Homes said the development would have "associated access, landscaping, open space" and a "sustainable urban drainage system".
The site formed part of a larger development granted in 2001 which included a condition which developers Persimmon "failed to fulfil", council documents state.
A council report said developers were now "immune" from council enforcement action due to the time that had passed, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.
However, it noted developers "wished to mitigate the failure to provide children's open space/informal recreation area and meadow space offsite".
Council planners said it was "premature" to consider housing plans until the "outstanding issue" had been addressed, adding the application would "result in a loss of open play space for existing residents of the adjacent estate".
Planning officers recommended it be refused on reasons including the historic play park issue, access worries and concerns about flood risk and ecology assessments.
Persimmon said it had engaged with councillors and residents on plans to invest in at Keir Hardie Park and added it was "disappointing" that time had not allowed the plans to be presented and "for the other matters to be resolved".
