Jomast secures planning permission for industrial development on former Sunderland glassworks site

Work is expected to start next year on the redevelopment of the former glassworks site at Deptford Terrace in Sunderland.

Developer Jomast has secured planning permission from Sunderland City Council to turn site into an industrial and warehousing park that will host trade counter businesses along with a coffee shop and electric vehicle charging facilities. The site, to the south of the River Wear, has laid derelict for more than a decade.

Now the Stockton-based firm plans to build 165,000 sqft of space, including six warehouse and industrial units along with seven trade counter units and a drive-through coffee shop. It plans to make the site into a key commercial and employment hub that will attract regional and national trade counter businesses as well as larger warehousing operators who could benefit from its central location.

In its application, first introduced in 2022, Jomast suggested the site could spur the creation of more than 300 jobs in the occupying businesses. It is looking to work with Sunderland City Council's business team and Invest North East England to promote the site and is said to be in talks with prospective tenants.

Adam Hearld, development director at Jomast Developments, said: "We’re delighted to receive the go ahead for the development of the site. The approval is a positive step towards delivering much-needed industrial space in the region that supports Sunderland’s long-term strategic economic goals."

Jomast's £20m proposals are also said to include sustainability measures as well as a six-figure contribution to support local biodiversity enhancement.

Robert Dibden, planning director at Lichfields, the planning consultant to Jomast, said: “This scheme offers a unique opportunity to bring inward investment into Sunderland, turning a long-disused brownfield site into a modern, sustainable industrial complex. The development will create a vibrant hub for businesses, offering state-of-the-art facilities that align with the needs of the local economy. Benefiting from the exceptional connectivity provided by the Sunderland Strategic Transport Corridor, the site is perfectly positioned to attract a range of industries, boosting local employment opportunities and driving economic growth in the region.