Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Chronicle Live
Chronicle Live
National
Chris Binding

Council bosses back plans to sell former Sunderland education hub to autism charity

City leaders have agreed to sell off education buildings in the latest phase of work to create a £1.4m special education base.

On March 27, Sunderland City Council's cabinet backed plans to dispose of the Tudor Grove Centre in Portland Road - which is due to close in August.

This falls against a backdrop of plans to merge pupil referral unit (PRU) provision into a single institution at the ex-Springwell Dene School site.

Green light for new £61million council HQ and public sector hub on city Vaux site  

In action, the centre will provide services for pupils who are unable to attend a mainstream school or special school.

The Tudor Grove site is expected to be sold to the North East Autism Society (NEAS) at a "price which is the best reasonably obtainable."

The sale is also expected to reduce council costs around security, insurance and maintenance on the site.

Former Springwell Dene School in Swindon Road, Sunderland (Copyright Unknown)

The sale will be agreed by the council's executive director for economy and place in consultation with top council officers, the cabinet secretary and council leader.

The cash is expected to be used to offset costs associated with the former Springwell Dene site - which is set for £1.4million refurbishment.

A cabinet report states NEAS are looking to relocate their existing base in Thornhill Park due to "limited accessibility on upper floors" and "small external grounds".

Raft of flood prevention projects across Sunderland set to be approved  

It adds: "The disposal of the property to NEAS will facilitate the relocation their independent special school improving accessibility and accommodation for their pupils in the city."

Before the Tudor Grove Centre can be transferred to NEAS, the council will need permission from the Department for Education (DfE).

An application has already been submitted to the DfE which is expected to be secured in advance of Tudor Grove becoming vacant to reduce delays.

'Sunderland's first micropub' set to open its doors despite anti-social behaviour fears

Councillors rubber-stamp plans for affordable homes on ex-community centre site  

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.