A VACANT green space could become a 104-home estate if a developer's plans are approved.

Wynyard Homes has submitted outline proposals for a huge housing development on land east of Quarry House Lane, in the East Rainton area.

If approved by Sunderland City Council in future, the site could host a mix of bungalows and detached and semi-detached family homes.

Following a community consultation exercise, 33 people objected to the proposals.

In response, developers made changes to the scheme including making 10 per cent of the properties 'affordable housing', enhanced ecological features and adding walkways throughout the site.

According to planning documents, the developer says the scheme would help to tackle a shortage of three and four-bedroom houses for families as well as bungalows and other accommodation for older people.

A Design and Access Statement reads: “The site is located immediately adjacent the existing built form of East Rainton and is in close proximity to a wide range of local services and facilities.

“As such, the site is an extremely sustainable and deliverable site for residential development.

“The site has a number of education, retail and employment destinations within an acceptable walking distance.”

It adds: “The indicative plans illustrate that a substantial enhancement to the exiting tree belt and woodland to the east and south will not only strengthen the landscaping buffer but also enhance the biodiversity in the area too.

“There would be some slight adverse effect on the function of the designated ‘settlement break’ as experienced from a few locations but it is considered that the local value of the open space in protecting settlement identity would not be compromised by the development providing the southern and northern boundaries are landscaped appropriately.”

Under current plans, houses will stretch from land near School Road to a spot near the junction with Quarry House Lane and Hazard Lane.

A vehicle access is also proposed from Quarry House Lane with a “landscaped wetland feature” set for the south of the site.

As an outline application however, final designs, layout and house types would be decided at a future date.

The public can comment on the plans until Thursday, May 9 with a final decision expected to be made by the authority in June.

To see the application and comment visit sunderland.gov.uk/online-applications and search planning reference 19/00471/OUT