Retail site with M&S foodhall a step closer
Sunderland City CouncilPlans for a Marks & Spencer foodhall have been approved by councillors as part of a £15m retail development.
The scheme, planned for land off Silksworth Lane in Sunderland, will also include an Aldi supermarket and Starbucks drive-through, creating about 150 permanent jobs and hundreds of construction roles, if it goes ahead.
The proposals have won public backing, with hundreds supporting the development after the company closed its city centre store in 2024.
However, because of their size and out-of-town location, the plans must go to the government for a final decision before work can begin.
About 330 people offered their support to the scheme during a public consultation, citing job creation and the return of M&S to a more central Sunderland site.
However, 48 objectors raised concerns about anti-social behaviour, potential impact on privacy, increased traffic, and noise and light pollution.
Several supermarket chains also objected, with Morrisons saying the plans went against policies focusing on retail and town centres.
Sainsbury's raised concerns about development on green space, "car parking overprovision" and highway modelling.
Asda said it had "highways-related concerns".
Sunderland City CouncilIf granted final approval, the foodhall will be the company's second largest store in the area following the opening of an expanded store in Washington and the closure of its High Street West site in 2024.
Antony Mullen, a former Conservative councillor for the Barnes ward, spoke on behalf of residents who had objected to the scheme over traffic concerns.
Locals previously asked for improvements including an alternative entry point to the development, upgraded pedestrian crossing points and box junctions, to improve residential access.
Councillor David Wales also asked about potential safety improvements at the pedestrian crossing point adjacent to The Range store.
In response, highways officers said the council could look at a "road safety audit and assessment".
Council planners said there was no legal or planning justification for the local planning authority to seek an alternative access arrangement, as the local highway authority had found the proposed access acceptable.
The retail development will also include a car park, pedestrian links to bus stops and a pedestrian crossing.
