Sunderland City Council's planning and highways committee will meet on Monday, 20 July, to decide on a £15 million retail development for a 2.7-hectare site off Silksworth Lane, near Sainsbury's. The proposal includes an M&S Foodhall, an Aldi supermarket, and a Starbucks drive-thru, which together are expected to create over 100 jobs.
Details of the Silksworth retail development
Developer PRZM Real Estate has outlined plans for a large shopper car park, improved pedestrian links to transport stops, and a new traffic-controlled pedestrian crossing on Silksworth Lane to enhance safety and accessibility. Vehicle access would be via a new easterly arm from the existing Silksworth Lane roundabout adjacent to Sainsbury's.
The M&S Foodhall, if approved, would become the company's second major outlet in Sunderland, following the opening of its expanded Washington store and the closure of its High Street West branch in 2024.
Public consultation and objections
The council's public consultation on the proposal has garnered over 200 supportive comments and 47 objections. Supporters highlight job creation and the return of M&S to a central Sunderland location, saving shoppers a trip to Washington. Objectors raise concerns about loss of green space, noise and light pollution, antisocial behaviour, privacy, ecological impact, increased traffic, and tree removal.
Morrisons lodged an objection, arguing the proposal contradicts retail and town centre policies, particularly regarding alternative site exploration and effects on local shopping areas. Sainsbury's opposed the scheme over retail planning policy, building on green space, car parking overprovision, and traffic modeling. Asda also objected, citing highways concerns and requesting additional technical information.
The applicant's agent responded that the development meets all necessary requirements and that planning matters have been appropriately addressed.
Council recommendation and next steps
Sunderland City Council's planning department has recommended approval, stating the development accords with relevant retail policies. Planning officers noted that the applicant demonstrated no sequentially preferable alternative sites exist and that retail impacts align with policies, verified by an independent external consultant. The issue of excessive car parking and potential encouragement of car-based trips was deemed a minor adverse impact.
The committee will consider the application at City Hall on Monday, 20 July, starting at 5:30pm. M&S has urged residents to show support ahead of the decision. If councillors grant approval, the application will be forwarded to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government for final determination due to its edge-of-centre location and scale of retail floor space.
