Silksworth is set to see a boost in sports facilities, with plans for upgraded football and basketball amenities due to be decided upon by councillors in the new year. Sunderland City Council’s Planning and Highways Committee will consider an application for land at Silksworth Recreation Park in January 2025, which includes proposals for new fencing and floodlighting at the existing multi-use games area (MUGA).
The development forms part of the Football Foundation’s PlayZones Programme, aimed at tackling physical activity inequalities and improving access to high-quality facilities in targeted areas. The scheme also seeks to benefit lower socio-economic groups, women and girls, disabled people and ethnically diverse communities by providing safe, inclusive and welcoming facilities.
Plans for a PlayZone in Southwick have already been approved, and Sunderland City Council recently revealed proposals to roll out more PlayZones to enhance access to sport. The new plans for Silksworth Recreation Park, submitted earlier this year, are linked to the existing MUGA near Wilson Terrace and adjacent to the park’s bowling green.
A design and access statement from Sports Labs Ltd, on behalf of the city council, stated that the application is in partnership with the Youth Almighty Project. The scheme’s proponents said upgrades to the MUGA would provide an exciting opportunity.
The proposed development is aimed at creating an “attractive and enticing space” for the local community, with a focus on promoting physical activity through football and other sports. The current MUGA is described as “basic and simple in nature”, “tired and unused”.
The planned upgrades, including new benches, goals, basketball hoops and a sports court with anti-slip paint, are expected to bring wider benefits to the local area. These include “increased opportunities for sport”, “use during evenings and weekends”, and serving as a “valued training facility improving the team sports experience; used for educational, club and community football training and matches”.
The design and access statement further highlighted that the proposal aligns with the principles of the PlayZone scheme – accessibility, inclusivity, sustainability, engagement and usage – and can positively impact vital social and health priorities. Council planning officers have recommended approval of the PlayZone scheme in a report published ahead of a decision-making meeting on January 6, 2025.
The committee report stated that the proposal would “aid the continued use of Silksworth Recreation Park for recreational purposes and improve the facilities at the park”. It was also noted that the development would be “acceptable in principle at this location and would have no unacceptable impacts on residential/visual amenity, highway safety, ecology, land contamination or flooding”.
The council committee report stated: “Due to the potential to impact upon residential neighbours during evening hours, the council’s environmental health team recommended that the floodlights and their hours of use are limited to 08:00-21:00.”
“As the pitch will be unlikely to be utilised should the lights not be in use, this will reduce the likelihood of noise after 21:00. With regard to lighting a detailed lighting scheme was submitted confirming the flood lighting type which would be installed at the site.
“The design access statement notes that the lighting has been selected with flat style optics designed to reduce upward waste light and overspill.
“It is stated that there will be no light spill directly impacting on neighbouring dwellings or natural habitat.”
Planning documents confirmed proposed opening hours for the PlayZone aimed to “satisfy the demands of curriculum activities” and to “allow the wider community access to the pitch”. The design and access statement also referenced letters of support from Silksworth ward councillors, local businesses and a community group praising the proposed upgrades to the park’s MUGA.
It was noted that “efforts have been made to ensure that any negative impacts of the proposed development are minimised as far as practicable”. A decision on the PlayZone rests with councillors on the Planning and Highways Committee, who will next meet on Monday, January 6, 2025.
The meeting is scheduled to start at 5.30pm at City Hall and will be open to the public. For further details on the planning application or to follow its progress, visit Sunderland City Council’s planning portal website and search for reference: 24/02109/LP3.
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