£15m training academy tipped for green light

Plans for the proposed £15m Housing, Innovation and Construction Skills Academy (HICSA) in Sunderland, which looks to transform the way in which the next generation of students are taught about building design and construction, look set to be backed by the council.The proposed venture is a collaboration between Sunderland City Council, Sunderland College, MOBIE and industry and will educate, train and upskill local people to create factory-built homes, the first of which will be assembled at Riverside Sunderland.The facility, earmarked for Sheepfolds, will be operated by Sunderland College with support from industry partners and will form part of Sunderland’s city centre housing ecosystem, enabling people to meet the city’s future hosing needs, with skill and expertise to employ modern methods of construction.When completed, HICSA will support the development of eco-friendly homes planned for Riverside Sunderland and the city centre.The planning application, which will go before Sunderland City Council on 28 March, looks to convert, restore and re-purpose the existing ‘Engine Shed’ structure on land South of Millennium Way and Hay Street.A two-storey extension is also proposed to create a workshop building alongside outdoor green social space and accessible parking bays. The building aims to create double-height workshops and a social hub with a variety of learning and breakout spaces for students and staff, along with a restaurant and kitchen area.In terms of staffing, it is anticipated that the facility will employ 15 full time members of staff and have an intake of up to 400 full time students and 200 part time students.The plans will go before the committee with the recommendation for approval.