Holmeside Car Park

Sunderland City Council is preparing proposals for a new surface car park in Sunderland City Centre.

Sunderland City Council is preparing proposals for a new car park in Sunderland city centre.

A number of alternative options to deliver a parking facility have been considered and it is now proposed to install a surface level carpark at this location that will not prevent any future development of the site.

The development will provide a new surface car park with 203 spaces and a mobility hub for Sunderland, creating a park and ride facility for the newly developed Sunderland train station and will link to the wider public realm and bus priority improvements in Holmeside.

Proposed Development

The existing site is located on Holmeside in the city centre and comprises cleared hardstanding, vacant scrubland in the east and the access road into the rear of Sunderland College in the west of the site.

The development will consist of 203 parking bays overall. These bays will comprise 11 accessible bays located to the north west of the site, two motorcycle parking areas towards the south of the site, and 54 of the total parking bays will contain EV charging points. The new parking spaces meet the local highways requirements and car parking standards.

Holmeside Car Park Plan (PDF) [971KB]

It is planned for the vehicular access to the site to be gained from an access point to the west, connecting to the existing road that runs from Holmeside to Sunderland College to the south. Pedestrian access will also be taken from this road and Holmeside to the north.

The existing substation in the north of the site is set to be retained as part of the development. The single-storey mobility hub will comprise cycle parking and screens showing nearby bus and rail timetables.

Improved areas of paving and soft landscaping are also proposed to the north, east and west of the car park, which will soften its setting and link the new development to the wider station and Holmeside public realm and bus priority improvements.

The development has the potential to generate further regeneration of the Holmeside area through investment by the council, increased footfall and the provision of additional city centre parking. This will also encourage more visitors to the city centre and in turn, spend in the city centre.

The development will complement and support the improvements to Sunderland train station by providing a supply of secure, safe and convenient long stay parking close to the station.

Benefits

• Sunderland city centre is well-served by the Metro and bus services but for those who need to drive into the city centre, the proposed development will provide additional parking spaces in a well-located part of the centre
• The car park will be conveniently located for travel via train, bus and onward flight connections providing direct access to national and international travel
• The new car park will provide an active use for previously developed vacant land
• The development will provide another step in the regeneration of Holmeside
• The project will work in tandem with, and support, the improvements to Sunderland train station. This is further bolstered by the mobility hub proposal which will comprise cycle parking and screens showing nearby bus and rail timetables
• The project will improve the streetscape and visual frontage along Holmeside

Timescales

Works are planned to start in early 2024.

Have your say

Thank you for taking the time to view these proposals. This is an opportunity for you to engage with the council's vision and provide us with valuable feedback on the proposed Holmeside car park.

Comments can be submitted via email: IC.consultation@sunderland.gov.uk

Alternatively, click on the link below to complete a short questionnaire:

Holmeside Car Park Survey

Please submit your comments by Sunday 1 October 2023.