Green light for £15m training academy

Planning permission has been granted for the proposed £15m Housing, Innovation and Construction Skills Academy (HICSA) in Sunderland, which looks to transform the way students are taught about building design and construction.The 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.Sunderland College will operate the facility, located at Sheepfolds, with support from industry partners.The project was also given funding from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund to support the cost of the project.Once completed, HICSA will support the development of eco-friendly homes planned for Riverside Sunderland and the city centre.The approved plans look to convert, restore and re-purpose the existing ‘Engine Shed’ structure on land South of Millennium Way and Hay Street to make way for the building.A two-storey extension is also proposed to create a workshop building, alongside outdoor green social space and accessible parking bays. There will also be 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.Sunderland Council’s Planning and Highways (East) Committee backed the plans at a meeting on 28 March 2022.