THE company that will take over the running of 36,500 council houses will have its headquarters on a prestige development.

The "not-for-profit" Sunderland Housing Group is taking the last space on the city's award-winning Doxford International Business Park.

The group has purchased the freehold of the 46,209 sq ft Emperor House for £5.4m, and will move its 200 employees into the building in May.

Wearside council tenants voted to switch from the city council to a private landlord earlier this year.

A building firm that will form part of the housing group will be based at Akeler House on the park.

The letting completes the development of the 86-acre park.