Plans have been submitted to transform a former construction yard in Washington into a storage and distribution facility, potentially supporting eight jobs.
Proposal details
Sunderland City Council has received an application for the site at 11 Walton Road, Pattinson North industrial estate. John Davidson (Pipes) Ltd is seeking consent to change the use of the premises.
The company's supporting documents state the scheme includes “minor alterations to the existing office building to provide a trade counter and ancillary staff facilities on the ground floor”. The site was previously used as a construction firm's yard, and the proposal would use existing hardstanding for storage, with no new permanent buildings planned.
Employment and impact
John Davidson (Pipes) Ltd is described in the planning papers as “the UK's leading distributor of civils and drainage products (which) has been in business since 1972”. The Washington site would support jobs for eight personnel, including three HGV drivers, and allow the business to “establish operational activities at this location”.
The supporting statement adds: “The proposal will not result in any unacceptable impacts on the amenity of neighbouring occupiers, biodiversity and geodiversity interests, or the operation of the local highway network. The site benefits from established access arrangements and is well located within an existing industrial area, where the proposed use is compatible with surrounding land uses. The development will support employment opportunities within Sunderland and enable the continued growth of an established UK business from a suitable employment location.”
Next steps
A decision on the proposal is expected after a consultation period. More details are available on the council's planning portal, referencing application 26/01374/FUL.
