Cramlington firm wins work at major Riverside Sunderland scheme

Compass Developments will construct the homes using investment from the Housing Growth Partnership fund.

They form part of the wider regeneration project that is being delivered by Sunderland City Council with support from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the North East Combined Authority and Homes England.

Stephen O'Neill, director at Compass Developments, said: "The extent and impact of the regeneration taking place in Sunderland is recognised nationally and internationally and, as a business located in the North East, it gives us great pride to play our part in shaping the future of city centre living.

“Working alongside igloo, we are delivering homes that set new benchmarks for sustainable, healthy, attractive and future-ready living, and provide a new city centre housing and lifestyle offer.

"The properties, which will be located on the site between The Beam and the new Sunderland Eye Hospital, will include two-and three-bedroom terraced townhouses and maisonettes and will form part of a vibrant community located within a continually evolving and growing city centre."

In total, 133 new homes will stand on the former Vaux site, forming part of a mixed-use neighbourhood where people can live, work and play.

Michelle Williams, project director at igloo Regeneration, added: "​This site has an exceptionally rich heritage. Once the beating heart of Sunderland’s shipbuilding industry and later home to the iconic Vaux Brewery, it is now entering a new chapter.

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“These new homes will sit at the centre of a vibrant city hub surrounded by culture, business, and leisure.

"Designed to be low in both embodied carbon and operational carbon, they will help create a sustainable, diverse, and dynamic new community. The homes will be coming to the market late summer 26 with the first occupants expected in early 2027."

Words: Alice Bird