harryhallblog

Derelict for over 15 years, the development of the Vaux site has been the subject of discussion for many Sunderland people. But the attempt to develop the site is not for want of trying on behalf of Sunderland City Council. In 2011, the ten year standoff between the site owners Tesco and Sunderland City Council was ended when the site was eventually sold to the Council, and development plans could be put in place.

Sunderland City Council originally estimated that a full build out and development of the whole site would cost in the region of £600 million. This figure is beyond the spending capability of the council on its own, particularly in the current economic climate and budget reductions, and to enable the site to be developed to its full potential, project partners would be needed.

Phil Spooner, formerly director of regeneration for the City, and now in charge of Community Leadership Programmes explained the importance of the Vaux site and coping with the frustrations and outcry from Sunderland residents. “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to develop it – so it has to be right. Its too good (a site) to blow the opportunity in one fell swoop with the erection of perhaps a big shed. In local government we have to reconcile public wishes and rightful impatience with what may be right for the long term.”

Spooner explained that the council had a strategy of building on sections of the site and releasing them in tranches. The current road alignment project on St Mary’s Way has created an area in front of the Law Courts, meaning that the first part of the development is coming to life in the guise of a brand new public square. It will include high quality paving surfaces, two specially commissioned artworks by British sculptor Stephen Broadbent to reflect Sunderland’s proud shipbuilding and industrial history, as well as bespoke street furniture and an attractive water feature.

A 3.5 metre high interactive sculpture, “Propellers of the City” will include the photographs of up to 500 Sunderland people who worked in the shipyards in a variety of roles from blacksmith to loftsman, riveter to cleaner. Sunderland’s residents are being asked to submit photographs of family members for inclusion in the collection of images.

The second artwork, “The Keel Line” will lead from the “Propellers of the City” sculpture, across the new public square and continue over the extent of the Vaux site towards the river. At 291.7 metres the line represents the full length of the vessel, Naess Crusader which was built by Sunderland Shipbuilders Ltd at the North Sands Yard and launched on 21^st December 1972.

The length of the line will include the names of up to 9,000 of the most significant ships built in Sunderland’s shipyards dating back to the early 19th century, the period when the city’s reputation for shipbuilding excellence really came into its own. Artist Bryan Talbot, author of the graphic novel ‘Alice in Sunderland’, has been contracted to design how the names of the ships are presented and the illustrations that will run the length of ‘The Keel Line’.

Commenting on the new square, Phil added, “it will be a vibrant addition to Sunderland City Centre, and the Council have acquired some key properties in the area, to create a number of focal points. It will form part of the theatre quarter and encourage people visiting Sunderland to stay in the City.

I envisage a lot of life around the area, with pavement cafés and vibrant ground floor retail offerings’. The new public square is a statement of intent from the council regarding its aspirations for its city centre – it’s a development of true quality.”

The development of the Vaux site forms part of an overall strategy of the development of Sunderland City Centre, designed to encourage more people to both work and live in the City, thus creating an early evening economy. The new Sunderland College is being built in the Holmside triangle, A new hotel is currently being developed on the University site opposite the Empire Theatre, and plans are underway for a new £100 million bridge over the Wear, designed to increase access to the Vaux site, The Port of Sunderland and the City Centre. The bridge will be built and operational by 2017/18.

“I’d be surprised if we didn’t see things happen on the Vaux site before the new bridge was finished in 2017, added Phil, “a development which would combine both commercial and residential accommodation, the precise form of which is currently being discussed with several partners.’