Sign in Subscribe
City councils

Plans to Convert Historic School into Residential Flats Get Greenlit

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Sunderland City Council has received plans to transform the former Simpson Street School into residential flats, with developers seeking to convert the Grade II-listed building's office space into six new one-bedroom flats and maintaining the existing eight apartments. The proposals, lodged by BDN Building Design Northern, which has occupied the site since 2020, would bring the total number of residential units within the structure to 14. The designs aim to preserve the building's historic significance while adapting it for modern use, incorporating a stacked storage system for bicycles and utilizing existing entrances and split levels.

Key Takeaways:

  • The proposals seek to convert the entire mixed-use building to residential use only, with the exception of maintaining the existing eight apartments without alteration.
  • The suggested design would bring the total number of residential units within the structure to 14, with six new one-bedroom flats to be created from the office space.
  • The design methodology builds upon a previously approved scheme, maintaining respect for the building's heritage and incorporating a heritage statement.
  • The plans outline the importance of preserving the building's historic fabric, with internal modifications carefully developed to work sensitively within the existing structure and retain key architectural elements.
  • The development team has emphasized their commitment to a sustainable future for the location, with the proposed scheme designed to be respectful and subordinate to the listed building.

Statistics:

  • The former Simpson Street School building was opened in 1867.
  • The site has been occupied by various educational institutions across the decades before permanently shutting in July 1961.
  • The premises were subsequently utilised as artists' studios before being purchased by BDN Building Design Northern in 2020.
  • The Grade II-listed property has been renovated and transformed into office accommodation and short-term rental flats.
  • The proposed scheme would create six new one-bedroom flats from the office space.
  • The total number of residential units within the structure would increase to 14 upon completion of the planned works.

Sources:

  • Sunderland City Council
  • BDN Building Design Northern
  • The plans are available on Sunderland City Council's planning portal website, reference 25/01675/FUL and 25/01676/LBC.

Read more