Latest news with #SunderlandCityCouncil
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Repairs start on Grade II listed bandstand
Repairs have started on a Victorian bandstand which has been fenced off for years. The Grade II listed structure, in Sunderland's Roker Park, was closed for safety reasons in 2021. Work to bring it back to its former glory were approved last year. David Laws, who has lived in the area for 40 years, said he "almost had a tear" in his eye when he saw scaffolding going up on Thursday. "I was over the moon," the 76-year-old said. Mr Laws said he remembered brass bands playing at the bandstand on Sundays. "I felt disgusted that it was being left to go to rack and ruin and not being looked after," he said. "It's part of our heritage. It should be looked after and passed on to the next generation." The bandstand dates back to 1880 and is recognised for a range of features, including its ornamental railings and central cupola. Sunderland City Council said repairs will help make the most of the area, with other improvements - including restoring the boating lake and a new cafe - also being made at the park. Back in early 2023, plans were approved for amphitheatre seating near the bandstand to restore it to being the "beating heart of the park once again", the Local Democracy Reporting Service said. Kevin Johnston, cabinet member for housing, regeneration and business, said: "The work on the repair, restoration and conservation of the bandstand and former park keeper's lodge will allow us to complete the current £1.6m regeneration of Roker Park, as well as helping to make the most of the area around the historic bandstand and maximise its use as a performance space." It has not been confirmed when the work to the bandstand will be finished. Follow BBC Sunderland on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Bandstand set for repairs after plans approved Music-themed artwork installed in city park Sunderland City Council
BBC News
4 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Repairs on Roker Park's Grade II-listed bandstand begin
Repairs have started on a Victorian bandstand which has been fenced off for Grade II listed structure, in Sunderland's Roker Park, was closed for safety reasons in to bring it back to its former glory were approved last Laws, who has lived in the area for 40 years, said he "almost had a tear" in his eye when he saw scaffolding going up on Thursday. "I was over the moon," the 76-year-old said. Mr Laws said he remembered brass bands playing at the bandstand on Sundays."I felt disgusted that it was being left to go to rack and ruin and not being looked after," he said."It's part of our heritage. It should be looked after and passed on to the next generation." The bandstand dates back to 1880 and is recognised for a range of features, including its ornamental railings and central cupola. Sunderland City Council said repairs will help make the most of the area, with other improvements - including restoring the boating lake and a new cafe - also being made at the in early 2023, plans were approved for amphitheatre seating near the bandstand to restore it to being the "beating heart of the park once again", the Local Democracy Reporting Service Johnston, cabinet member for housing, regeneration and business, said: "The work on the repair, restoration and conservation of the bandstand and former park keeper's lodge will allow us to complete the current £1.6m regeneration of Roker Park, as well as helping to make the most of the area around the historic bandstand and maximise its use as a performance space."It has not been confirmed when the work to the bandstand will be finished. Follow BBC Sunderland on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Voting opens to name Sunderland's new footbridge
Voting has opened to decide a name for Sunderland's latest multimillion-pound landmark. More than 1,000 possible contenders were submitted by the public for the new Wear footbridge. The favourites have since been whittled down to a final three for people to choose from - Keel Crossing, Wear Crossing and Beacon Bridge. Michael Mordey, leader of Sunderland City Council, said a panel of representatives from local community groups had been "overwhelmed" by the response. "We received over 1,000 in total, which shows just how much the campaign captured everyone's hearts and imaginations," he said. "We've had entire families, school classes and community groups coming together to think of ideas, so hopefully this next stage will spark even more excitement." The panel included Rob Lawson, chair of Sunderland Business Partnership. He said he hoped the shortlist would "capture hearts and imaginations for generations to come". Due to open this summer, the bridge is a central figure in the development of Riverside Sunderland, described as one of the UK's most ambitious urban regeneration projects. Measuring 10m-wide and spanning 260m, at a height of 30m above the river, it is one of several high-profile developments under construction. About £31m has been spent on the bridge, commissioned by the Labour-led council, which will link Keel Square with Sheepfolds and the Stadium of Light. In recent months, parts of the bridge have made their way across the North Sea after being manufactured in Ghent, Belgium. The footbridge naming vote is the first feature to go live on Your Sunderland, the new online platform launched by the council. The vote closes on 6 June. Mordey added: "By providing an open forum where residents can have a say on ongoing city developments and projects, we're ensuring everyone has a chance to shape the decisions directly impacting their lives and communities." Follow BBC Sunderland on X, Facebook and Instagram Final section of city's bridge lifted into place Construction of city footbridge hits 'milestone' Your Sunderland Sunderland City Council
BBC News
28-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
New Sunderland footbridge name shortlist revealed
Voting has opened to decide a name for Sunderland's latest multimillion-pound than 1,000 possible contenders were submitted by the public for the new Wear favourites have since been whittled down to a final three for people to choose from - Keel Crossing, Wear Crossing and Beacon Mordey, leader of Sunderland City Council, said a panel of representatives from local community groups had been "overwhelmed" by the response. "We received over 1,000 in total, which shows just how much the campaign captured everyone's hearts and imaginations," he said."We've had entire families, school classes and community groups coming together to think of ideas, so hopefully this next stage will spark even more excitement."The panel included Rob Lawson, chair of Sunderland Business said he hoped the shortlist would "capture hearts and imaginations for generations to come". Due to open this summer, the bridge is a central figure in the development of Riverside Sunderland, described as one of the UK's most ambitious urban regeneration 10m-wide and spanning 260m, at a height of 30m above the river, it is one of several high-profile developments under £31m has been spent on the bridge, commissioned by the Labour-led council, which will link Keel Square with Sheepfolds and the Stadium of Light. In recent months, parts of the bridge have made their way across the North Sea after being manufactured in Ghent, footbridge naming vote is the first feature to go live on Your Sunderland, the new online platform launched by the council. The vote closes on 6 added: "By providing an open forum where residents can have a say on ongoing city developments and projects, we're ensuring everyone has a chance to shape the decisions directly impacting their lives and communities." Follow BBC Sunderland on X, Facebook and Instagram
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Listed building set for renovation
A "cherished" heritage building is set for renovation after plans were given the green light. Sunderland City Council's planning department has approved proposals to replace some of the non-historic windows at Kepier Hall, off Church Street, in Houghton-le-Spring. The building is Grade II* listed and according to Historic England has parts that date back to the 16th Century. It was a school until the 1920s before becoming a church hall and is currently used by community groups and as accommodation. A small number of historic timber windows had been retained in the oldest parts of the building, but the majority had been replaced with poor quality replicas, many as part of 2008 restoration, according to Local Democracy Reporting Service. A design and access statement said the works would ensure Kepier Hall remained a "valuable and cherished asset to the local community for generations to come". According to a planning application form, which was submitted to the council in April, development works started in late-2024 but had not been completed. The council's conservation department noted the listed building was "highly significant" and had been extended in the 1980s to provide a community hall, which has been managed by the Kepier Trust "for many years". Follow BBC Sunderland on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Disused church to become arts and learning centre Sunderland City Council
