A building which has been home to a chemist and a training academy in the past could potentially get a new lease of life as apartments.
The building, on Borough Road in Sunderland city centre once housed a Lloyds Chemist and, more recently, the Bella Marie Training Academy. But the "attractive" building has since stood empty, but plans have recently been submitted to Sunderland City Council that would see the ground floor converted into four, one-bedroom apartments.
A statement accompanying the plans, which were submitted earlier this month, states: "The building is within a proposed extension to the Sunniside conservation area in the current Sunniside character assessment on the council website. It is noted as having positive impact and being an attractive red brick building. We do not feel the peopled alterations would affect this and the proposed new windows are in keeping with the existing materials and arched shape."
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The statement also added: "The application is for the change of use and conversion of the ground floor to residential in keeping with the upper floors which have previously been granted approval. The building is currently vacant and has not found a permanent commercial tenant since Lloyds Chemist closed."
A new cycle store has also been proposed to serve the additional apartments capable of accommodating four bikes in locked store. No decision has been made on the plans - which are still in the early stages - by the council.
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