A MAJOR new luxury housing estate is being planned on the outskirts of Acomb.

Sunderland developers Avant Homes have submitted an application for 40 houses on farmland off Garden House Road, running south from behind the beer garden of the Queen’s Arms Hotel.

The site is on the edge of the green belt and in the Acomb conservation area.

The estate will comprise 16 four-bedroomed homes, 12 with five bedrooms, eight with three beds and four two-bedroomed houses.

The developers say they have come up with a “considered and sensitive” scheme of 40 dwellings which will offer a range of accommodation to suit local needs.

It will provide new vehicular and pedestrian access from Garden House Bank which promotes pedestrian connectivity through the site and to the heart of Acomb.

They argue that the estate has been designed in such a way as to fit in with the Acomb conservation area.

The developers have already held a consultation event in Acomb, where the scheme received a mixed response.

While some people welcomed much-needed new homes in Acomb, others thought too many houses were being proposed, which would put pressure on the village infrastructure,

There were also concerns about potential flooding on the site.

Many people had worries about the volume of cars the estate would generate and it was felt congestion would be created which would overload Garden House Bank, especially at the pinch points where the road narrows.

But the applicants claim in their submission to the county council: “General feedback on the day given verbally to representatives and also in general discussion within the consultee feedback forms, was that the majority of attendees were, in principle, supportive of the proposals, given the site has been identified for development for a number of years.

“There were concerns raised by the majority of the attendees about the impact on Garden House Bank, especially with the increase in traffic created by the proposals.

“The majority of attendees stated they would not wish Garden House Bank to be closed to through traffic, but would prefer road improvement/widening to take place, especially to the pinch points to the north and south.

“Some respondents considered the proposed impact of the housing would be positive and felt it would keep the village facilities including school, services and pubs alive.

“A representative of the Action 4 Acomb group stated that the house types proposed were too small and research into housing need suggested five-bedroom houses are what the village thinks is required.

“Action 4 Acomb also stated it would possibly make schools in the area more sustainable by encouraging families to settle as a result of the development.

“Other suggestions on the night included the potential for a pedestrian route within the estate to access the playing fields to the rear as part of planning gain and the provision of a pedestrian route within the estate was welcomed.”