COUNCIL plans have revealed that more than 1,000 new homes are set to line a city’s bridge.

Houses will line either side of the Northern Spire bridge, in Sunderland, as Brownfield land, on the south side of Sunderland’s Wear crossing, is transformed into a housing development.

Plans for the housing progression were revealed by Sunderland City Council, after the council took control of the site due to prior plans from the landlord having been put on hold.

The area will be known as Northern Spire Park, and work will commence to prepare the ground for housing development, which is likely to follow over the next 12-18 months.

Councillor Graeme Miller, said the move to acquire and develop a plan for the area demonstrated the authority’s ambition to ‘push forward with its transformation programme with pace and vigour’.

He said: “Sunderland is attracting private sector investment at an unparalleled rate, and that’s hugely encouraging."

“We have to be decisive as an authority though, and be prepared to take a lead when a longer-term view is required.

"If there is a sense that the private sector cannot drive the transformation we want to see across the city - and with the pace and vigour we would like - we will do what is needed to stimulate regeneration and drive forward on the front-foot.”

The area - close to the north of Pallion - has been set aside to include sustainable, high-quality housing.

Earlier this year, Sunderland City Council revealed plans to build its own affordable housing, with hopes of providing a variety of spacious family homes in the city that meet the needs of its residents.

Councillor Rebecca Atkinson, housing and regeneration at Sunderland City Council, said: “Sunderland is a fantastic place to live, work and play, and part of growing its reputation relies on bringing forward attractive schemes that provide a diverse range of family homes.

“We believe that Northern Spire Park will enable us to bring forward an exciting new housing development, in a part of the city that will provide excellent connectivity and amenities.”

The development forms part of a vision to build more than 7,000 new homes across Sunderland in the next decade.

The city is growing its reputation as a place to live, and was named the ‘third richest city in the UK’ according to scientists who looked at the assets the city has to offer vs the things that lead to a rich and fulfilled life.

In a recent report by OneFamily, Sunderland was named the best city to live for under 30s.

House-builders are continuing to invest in the city, with thousands of new homes set to be built by private sector developers in the upcoming months.