This is Sunderland arc

About us


Sunderland arc (Sunderland Area Regeneration Company Ltd) is an urban regeneration company (URC), set up in 2002 to guide and deliver the physical regeneration of large areas within the city of Sunderland. It is part of the government sponsored Urban Renaissance aimed at the transformation of the economic and social life of cities.

The arc was formally established as a public-interest, private company limited by guarantee following the closures and associated job losses at Grove Cranes and the Vaux Brewery, both of which were key private employers in traditional industries close to the city centre.

To help undertake its work, Sunderland arc is supported by a powerful local, regional and national partnership of , One North East and Homes and Communities Agency , who jointly fund the regeneration company's programme together with additional support the European Regional Development Fund .

Sunderland arc ’s remit is to:

  • Act as the lead body for physical regeneration initiatives within its boundary
  • Promote masterplans and development briefs to guide future development
  • Co-ordinate site assembly and development
  • Secure external (private) funding to supplement public sector investment

Overall, the Sunderland arc area:

  • extends to approximately 542 hectares (1,340 acres);
  • comprises approximately 1,750 businesses;
  • contains 306 hectares (756 acres) of Brownfield development land

 


Sunderland arc ’s plans were launched in the autumn of 2003 and cover the arc 's anticipated 15-year lifespan. The aim of them is clear: to create a high quality, vibrant, living and working environment for the City of Sunderland.

Its targets are:

  • 13,600 new job opportunities
  • 3,800 new homes
  • 380,000m2 of new business space
  • regenerating 306 hectares of brownfield land

The delivery of these targets is entrusted to a Board of Directors representing the founding partners of Sunderland arc , the business community and, most importantly, the people of Sunderland.

The arc ’s work builds upon much previous endeavour within Sunderland and the framework established by its Founding Partners. Since its inception the senior management team of Sunderland arc has been developing ideas and proposals for key sites around the city. It has been working hard to facilitate development by de-risking projects through masterplanning, land and property acquisitions, site assembly, de-contamination and marketing. All the blocks are now in place from which to embark upon delivery on a major scale.

The arc projects build on the existing transformation achieved by the City Council with successful projects such as The Bridges Shopping Centre extension, the Museum and Winter Gardens and the recently opened Sunderland Aquatic Centre.

Board


Sunderland arc is led by a dedicated and experienced Board of Directors representing its Founder Members and partners from the private, public and community sectors. The Board, chaired by John Anderson QA CBE, is comprised of non-executive directors who receive no salary for their involvement on the Board.

The Sunderland arc Board sits quarterly.

View the Board


Executive team


The professional Executive Team, led by Chief Executive David Walker, supports the board, managing Sunderland arc on a daily basis and pursuing Sunderland arc 's priorities.

View the Executive Team


Sunniside Partnership


Following the establishment of Sunderland arc in 2002, Sunniside Partnership was established as a not-for-profit organisation in 2003 under a dedicated Project Director to oversee and co-ordinate the regeneration of this priority city centre area.

The role of the Partnership is primarily to co-ordinate development activity and promote public and private sector investment across the area within an approved policy framework. 

The Partnership is supported by Sunderland arc , Sunderland City Council, regional development agency One North East and national regeneration agency Homes and Communities Agency.

The organisation is governed by a Partnership Board that meets quarterly and has a dedicated, multi-disciplinary project team working within Sunniside to co-ordinate and manage the strategic regeneration of the area.

View the Sunniside Team