Plans lodged for £15m colliery development

Plans have been lodged for a £15m job-creating retail development on the site of a former colliery in Houghton.Last year, Sunderland City Council’s Cabinet approved the sale of the former Houghton Colliery site, which closed in 1981, to Washington-based Hellens Group.The group has now submitted proposals for a new discount food store, three large retail units, four smaller retail/leisure units and a drive-thru restaurant.The applicant also intends to provide 316 customer parking spaces, along with 14 parent and child spaces and 2 electric vehicle charging points.It is estimated that the proposed development could create around 125 new jobs. There would also be further spin-off employment, including local businesses and others in the supply chain, as well as construction employment associated with the development.Although occupiers are yet to be confirmed for the proposed retail units, Hellens Group has said that it has attracted firm market interest from a number of large format food and non-food retailers.If plans are approved, it is expected that work on the scheme could begin by spring 2021.