Demolition work at a former North East police station has begun, as it prepares to become a multi-million pound retail complex featuring Costa, Greggs and B&M.
Developers have started making ground for knocking down the former Farringdon Police Station, just off Durham Road, in Sunderland to make way for the major shopping units.
Almscliffe Dhesi Developments Ltd, part of the Almscliffe Dhesi Group, began the bulldozers on Friday (January 26) - with the company granted planning permission in June last year to demolish the former station and construct a £10m retail park in its place.
Once complete, the development will see it transformed into a thriving retail hub that will see B&M, Costa Drive-Thru, Greggs, Marie Curie, Westway Vets and a tanning salon move on to the complex, creating over 100 jobs.
It will also include a car park for around 110 vehicles, including accessible bays, cycle parking and electric vehicle charging points.
In addition, an improved access to the site will be created from Durham Lane close to the A690 roundabout and the developers have assured planners that the McDonald’s entry point will be improved to alleviate queuing traffic on North Moor Lane.
Bal Singh, a director of Almscliffe, who also lives in the city, said: “It fills me with great pride to finally see work beginning on the demolition of the site.
“Having worked with Cllr Tye on this project for over five years, it has been a real labour of love for both of us as we’re both incredibly proud of the area and our city.
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“Once complete, it will add real value to the community, creating over 100 jobs for local people and providing a significant boost to the local economy.
“It’s amazing to see it finally getting underway and we are hoping that contractors will be on site by April with it hopefully being fully occupational by Spring 2025.”
Since its closure in 2015, the former Farringdon Police Station has attracted thousands of complaints from residents about anti-social behaviour on the site.
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