Former university building set for demolition as council approves plans

THE FORSTER BUILDING IN SUNDERLAND WAS ONCE EARMARKED FOR DEMOLITION TO MAKE WAY FOR A LARGE DEVELOPMENT OF ALMOST 260 STUDENT FLATS 10:40, 19 Jan 2025 City development chiefs have given the

go-ahead for plans to demolish a former university teaching block on Wearside. Sunderland City Council's planning department has approved an application from The University of

Sunderland for the Forster Building off Chester Road. Previously, the teaching block was marked for demolition to pave way for a large development of nearly 260 student flats over two

accommodation blocks, along with ground floor retail units. In 2020, most councillors on Sunderland City Council’s then Planning and Highways (East) Committee voted in favour of proposals

for the site. However, no demolition or development works took place and planning permission has since expired. The University of Sunderland stated in 2023 that there were "no

plans" to redevelop the former teaching block site after the previously approved student accommodation scheme failed to progress. A new planning application was submitted in November

2024 to demolish the Forster Building, with works set to begin in 2025. A supporting statement submitted to council officials on behalf of the university noted the structures were "not

unsafe or uninhabitable" but that demolition was "required as part of the wider works for The University of Sunderland to better their educational facilities". The supporting

statement also confirmed that "no redevelopment of the site is proposed at this time". After considering the demolition application, Sunderland. The City Council's planning

department gave the green light to the project on January 14, 2025. The council's decision report stated that the demolition method was "acceptable at this location" and

highlighted plans for a "2.4m high solid timber hoarding" to be built around the site's boundaries. Article continues below This would serve to enclose the site during the

demolition process and would be removed once the work was completed. The hoarding is intended to prevent unauthorised access, minimise dust transmission and aid in noise reduction, as per

the planning documents. The council's report also confirmed that an "existing low post/rail timber fence currently fronting Chester Road [will] remain in situ after completion of

the associated demolition works". Furthermore, a "new low (less than 1m) birds mouth fence is to be erected to the north of the site which will serve as a tactile design cue in

discouraging access across the cleared site." Working hours on the site would be restricted to 7.30am – 4.30pm from Monday to Friday, and 8am – 1pm on Saturdays if necessary, with no

work permitted on Sundays or Bank Holidays. Measures would be implemented to mitigate noise and dust, and "all HGV movements will be planned to avoid the requirement to wait on the

publichighway to gain access to the site." The Forster Building, constructed in 1975, stands four storeys tall and includes car parking facilities. A planning report presented to

councillors in 2020 revealed that the property had been used for 'general teaching and studio facilities together'. The University of Sunderland is set to see 'ancillary

teaching based rooms' demolished as part of a redevelopment plan. The site, which includes a central building, an additional two-storey wing and car parks, saw the use of the Forster

Building come to an end in January 2017. Article continues below According to a planning application, demolition works are slated to begin in February 2025, with completion targeted for the

end of May 2025. A spokesperson for the University confirmed that the company tasked with tearing down the Forster Building will "take possession of the site from February 2,

2025". For further details on the demolition project and the council's decision, members of the public can visit the Sunderland City Council’s planning portal website and search

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