Regeneration plans for Vaux site firms up

Jul 5 2009 by Paul Loraine, Sunday Sun

TEN years on from the closure of Vaux brewery, the landmark Sunderland site still stands empty.

There has been a long-running legal wrangle over its future but, according to a regeneration chief, a “satisfactory” conclusion to the saga is closer than ever.

David Walker, chief executive of Sunderland arc – the body charged with regenerating the site – admitted no one had been more frustrated by the lack of progress on the site over the last decade than the arc itself.

The brewery site was bought by Tesco in 2001 but while they wanted permission for their store, plus other shops and homes, the plans never reached the stage where Sunderland City Council could consider them.

In December 2002, Sunderland arc submitted its own plan to create a new business quarter with homes, civic buildings, new hotels and leisure facilities.

The plans, which would create more than 3000 jobs, were backed by the Government after a public inquiry.

Sunderland arc and Tesco have been in negotiations ever since and Mr Walker revealed his determination to see the site developed in the best way for the city.

He told the Sunday Sun: “Seven years ago Sunderland arc was given the task of securing the Vaux site to provide the new economic focus for the city, to maximise the number of jobs created and build on Sunderland’s success in replacing the jobs lost with the decline of the old industries.

“It became our number one priority and remains so to this day. In its days as a brewery the Vaux site provided jobs which helped to drive the economy of the city. The site can do this once again, but in a different way.

“The Vaux site is Sunderland’s best chance for the city to diversify its economy and bring in a concentration of new offices which will provide employment and spin-off opportunities for other investments both on the Vaux site and around the city, such as hotels, quality retail and leisure developments.