The 102 new homes would form the first part of the Sheepfolds development in north-east Sunderland, which is for a total of 350 homes to be delivered within the Riverside Sunderland regeneration framework.

Drawn up for developer Vistry, working alongside Sunderland City Council, the scheme looks to transform a former industrial estate into a residential neighbourhood of townhouses, apartments and duplexes, alongside space for commercial and community use.

The development took a major step forward last week after securing £27.7 million of government money, granted as part of Homes England’s Brownfield Infrastructure Land Fund. This will be added to the £10 million investment ploughed into the project by North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness.

Sheepfolds is one of four residential schemes in the works under the 1,000-home Riverside Sunderland plan, and is intended to ‘revitalise the city centre’ by converting a disused brownfield site.

Vistry was chosen by Sunderland City Council as a development partner last year, and the Sheepfolds homes will be built next to the new Mobility Hub for which the council is set to submit an application later this year.

Niall Durney, partner at FaulknerBrowns, said the new homes will feel ‘rooted and connected’ to their local context in a ‘contemporary manner’, adding that the scheme will link to other developments in the city, including the new bridge across the River Wear, designed by Knight Architects, and the upgraded Stadium of Light.

The appearance of the homes has been ‘inspired by Sunderland’s rich industrial and residential heritage’, according to design documents, with four different buildings types that ‘work together to shape a legible, varied and contemporary neighbourhood’.

Councillor James Jackson, Sunderland’s cabinet member for business, housing and regeneration, said: ‘Repopulating the city centre is an important aim of the Riverside Sunderland masterplan, and this new community […] will boost the whole area, bringing footfall by day and night, supporting our local traders and ensuring the heart of the city is a vibrant and attractive place to live, work and play.’

The work will expand FaulknerBrowns’ already significant role in Riverside Sunderland, having designed both the Culture House library building, which is nearing completion on site, and the new City Hall, which opened in 2021.

The development will also sit nearby to another FaulknerBrowns project, the education and sports centre next to the Stadium of Light, which was completed in 2018 following a design competition held in 2015.

Sheepfolds masterplan

Source: FaulknerBrowns

Project data

Location Sheepfolds, Riverside Sunderland, north side of the River Wear between St Peter’s Metro Station and the Stadium of Light, Sunderland
Local authority Sunderland City Council
Type of project Residential-led mixed-use regeneration scheme with outline planning consent for 456 homes, commercial space, community uses and a mobility hub
Client Sunderland City Council (landowner/development partner) with Vistry Group as development partner
Architect FaulknerBrowns
Landscape architect Colour
Planning consultant In house
Main contractor Vistry North East (developer)
Funding £4.8million Brownfield Housing Fund grant (Phase 1); £10million North East Mayoral investment; £27.7million Homes England Brownfield Infrastructure Land Fund investment announced August 2026
Tender date Not publicly available
Start on site Originally anticipated early 2026 following infrastructure works. First phase planning submitted July 2026; full residential construction start subject to approvals
Completion date Not publicly available
Contract duration Not publicly available
Gross internal floor area (m²) Not publicly available
Form of contract Development partnership between Sunderland City Council and Vistry following appointment as preferred developer. Specific contract form not published
Annual CO₂ emissions Not publicly available
Total Cost Not publicly available
Planning application reference 25/01416/HY3 – Masterplan