PLANS to forge ahead with the ongoing transformation of Sunderland’s seafront have been endorsed by councillors.

The move follows the success earlier this year of a joint bid by Sunderland City Council and Sunderland Culture to convert little used seafront buildings into new cafes and restaurants and to support the continued growth of the city’s cultural sector.

A £820,000 Coastal Community funding will allow the council to go ahead with plans for the conversion of the old Tram Shelter and former Bay Shelter at Seaburn into cafes/restaurants along with a former toilet block at Roker, and to seek tenants to operate these.

It will also fund the building of 12 beach huts on the promenade north of the House of Zen at Seaburn and upgrading the infrastructure at Seaburn Camp for touring caravans.

The report approved at a cabinet meeting yesterday also proposes expansion of the role of the Sunderland Seafront Trust, which is currently the governing body for the Roker Heritage Group, with a view to it managing the assets developed with the help of the Coastal Communities funding and reinvesting the income generated back into the seafront.

Councillor Rebecca Atkinson, cabinet member for housing and regeneration, said: “We had a huge amount of positive public interest in our plans when we first secured Coastal Communities funding in March and this is all about taking those plans forward and turning them into reality for the benefit of everyone who uses the seafront."