PLANS for a multi-million pound eye hospital on Wearside could be given the go-ahead next week.

Sunderland City Council’s Planning and Highways (East) Committee is set to discuss plans for the development on the former Vaux Brewery site.

Working in partnership with South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, the city council submitted proposals to its own planning department in July for a parcel of land at Riverside Sunderland.

If approved, the £36million facility will replace the existing Sunderland Eye Infirmary building on Queen Alexandra Road, which has been in operation for more than 75 years.

According to a report prepared for councillors, the new “state-of-the-art, purpose-built facility will provide enhanced treatment facilities for urgent eye problems and offers a more efficient and practical layout.”

It would also remain one of very few specialist standalone eye hospitals in the country and the region’s only dedicated specialist centre for ophthalmology care.

Subject to planning permission, work could start on site in 2022 with a view of opening the new eye hospital during 2024.

In a report prepared ahead of next week’s meeting, Sunderland City Council planners have recommended the hospital for approval.

The planning report reads: “The site occupies a principal gateway location adjacent to significant designated heritage assets, including the Bishopwearmouth Conservation Area and adjacent listed buildings, and the listed Wear Bridges.

“It is considered that the planning submission has successfully demonstrated a scheme that is set to make a significant and positive contribution to townscape character and will become a significant development in the city.

“It is considered that the application proposal represents another key element of the continued re-development of Vaux.

“Significant weight therefore is being given to the regeneration of this prominent vacant, brownfield site.”

The report goes on to say: “It is also considered to be a sustainable and accessible location, easily accessed via public transport, car, foot and bicycle, and it is noted that the development will be built to modern energy efficiency standards incorporating emerging efficiency measures and low carbon technologies.

“There are not considered to be material considerations which outweigh these considerations so as to warrant a refusal.”

Plans include the erection of a new eye infirmary with energy centre buildings, a cycle hub building, parking, landscaping and ‘associated utilities infrastructure.’

The hospital is proposed to accommodate up to 312 members of staff.

Councillors on the Planning and Highways (East) Committee have discuss the application on Monday, November 1.

The meeting is open to the public and will take place in the council chamber at Sunderland Civic Centre from 5.30pm.

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054