Disused church to become arts and learning centre
BBCA historic church building could receive a new lease of life as an adult learning and arts centre.
Sunderland City Council's planning department has approved the change of use of St Mary's Church in South Hylton.
The Grade II listed structure, which sits on the corner of Wear Street and Church Street, dates to the 1800s and has been vacant for some time.
A previous property listing for the site said the church had "formally closed for worship" and described it as a "redevelopment opportunity for a range of possible new uses".
The applicant is a firm called Pecorino Properties, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
A statement of intended use submitted to the council said the aim was to "use the building for adult education and arts-related activities", with a focus on "learning, participation and cultural engagement".
The space would host arts exhibitions and a range of other creative initiatives alongside educational programmes involving maths and literacy.
A council report said there would be no external changes made to the church as part of the proposal.
However, any future building work to facilitate the new use "may require planning permission and/or building regulations approval", planning documents state.
In recent months, a company with the same name has also been progressing plans to repurpose another Grade II listed church in the city, St Mark's, off Hylton Road in the Millfield ward.
This included plans to revive the space to attract not-for-profit organisations, local artists and small start-up businesses to occupy new units on site.