The site is located on the north side of the river next to the Stadium of Light and St Peter’s Metro Station.

Vistry will work with Sunderland City Council to create the city centre’s largest new residential community on the brownfield site where enabling works are underway.

Designed by architect Faulknerbrowns, the site will feature a mix of bespoke townhouses, duplexes and flats alongside commercial and community space.

Work will start in early 2026 with the scheme being delivered in several phases.

The first phase is being backed by £4.8m from the Brownfield Housing Fund, managed by the North East Combined Authority.

Sean Egan, regional managing director of Vistry North East, said: “Sheepfolds is a transformational regeneration opportunity for Sunderland and we are very pleased to be working in partnership with the City Council for the second time.”

The Sheepfolds site forms part of the wider Riverside Sunderland masterplan, which is transforming 32 hectares of land around the River Wear.

This wider scheme will deliver around 1,000 new homes, offices, social spaces, parks and new infrastructure including the New Wear Footbridge, a new Eye Hospital and the Housing Innovation and Construction Skills Academy.