Plans to convert a former amusement arcade in the city centre into apartments and retail space have been submitted to the city council’s construction managers.

Sunderland City Council’s Planning Department has received an application for the former Mason Amusements building at 44 Holmeside.

The building was once used as a printing company’s office and then served as an entertainment center for decades. Today, however, the site stands empty.

Sunderland property developer Darryl Cullerton recently announced plans to breathe new life into the abandoned building.

This included converting the upper floors of the building, which had previously been used as offices, into apartments and creating two new commercial units on the ground floor.

(Image: LDR)

The planning application is now visible on Sunderland City Council’s planning portal website, allowing the public to view the full proposals and have their say.

The plan calls for a total of eight apartments, with the upper floors of the building divided into four apartments each.

On each floor, the floor plan would be designed to consist of two one-bedroom, one-person apartments, one one-bedroom, two-person apartment, and one two-bedroom, three-person apartment.

A design and access statement submitted to council officers said the building was “in a dilapidated condition, particularly on the ground floor”.

Planning documents state the proposal would “provide a new look and feel to the external areas of the building”, including a “new commercial façade that respects the existing streetscape of the Holmeside district”.

Plans for the ground floor call for the space to be divided into separate commercial units, each with external double door access and access to the apartments on the upper floor.

The initiators of the project explained that the proposed residential layout was “designed for a large number of residents”.

A “large part of the building” will also “receive a new plaster finish over the existing masonry.”

The applicants said that “the central location, neighbouring amenities and public transport links suggest that parking for residents is not required”.

However, it was pointed out that bicycle parking would be available as part of the facility and that “public parking is available in various parking garages in the city center.”

The design and access statement continues: “The existing property is located in the Holmeside triangle of Sunderland city centre and was originally built in the 1920s as a printing works offices with ground floor retail premises. However, the building is not listed and is not a building of the local architectural heritage.

“The exterior of the building is worn and the interiors on the ground floor and upper floors are in a dilapidated condition.

“The proposals contained in this application focus on restoring the commercial use of the existing building whilst providing a new, functional layout allowing access to the apartments on the top two floors of the building.

“The proposal also includes a new look and feel to the external areas of the building, including a new shop front that respects the existing streetscape of the Holmeside area.

“We believe that these proposals would secure a sustainable future for the existing building while also making a very positive additional contribution to the city’s economy.”

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A decision on the planning application will be made after the council’s consultation phase has been completed.

The Sunderland City Council planning portal website states that the decision deadline is 1 October 2024.

For more information about the Plan or to track its progress, visit the Council’s Planning Portal website using search reference: 24/01575/FUL