The Riverside Sunderland Maker & Faber Offices and Wear Footbridge have been shortlisted for the RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence in the North East.
The submission showcased the new footbridge and Maker & Faber office buildings which form a key part of the ongoing Riverside Sunderland regeneration masterplan. As one of the UK’s most ambitious urban regeneration projects, Riverside Sunderland exemplifies excellence in economic development, seamlessly integrating placemaking, sustainability, and strategic infrastructure investment.
At the core of the Masterplan lies the 250 metre pedestrian and cycle bridge, identified during the early public consultation phase as a crucial element of the masterplan, to enhance connectivity between north and south Sunderland. The new bridge will increase accessibility and footfall between the city centre and Sheepfolds and will promote active forms of travel, providing safe pedestrian and cycle only infrastructure to remove the reliance of the car to gain access to the city. It will connect the newly created communities across Riverside Sunderland, boosting retail, hospitality, and cultural venues in the city, aligning with Sunderland’s Net Zero policies, reinforcing long-term sustainability. The bridge is pivotal to unlocking the whole masterplan area and ensuring its long-term success.
Maker & Faber, is a major office development derived from a successful public/private partnership. Legal & General’s £100m investment nearly doubles the office space in Riverside Sunderland, which will attract new businesses and position thousands of jobs within Sunderland City Centre. Maker & Faber provide modern, high-performance workspaces, supported by cutting-edge 5G and low-carbon networks, enhancing the city’s digital and environmental infrastructure. Sustainability is paramount, with Maker & Faber achieving BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and EPC ‘A’ ratings.
The winners will be announced at the RTPI North East Annual Awards Dinner on Friday 27th June. We wish everyone shortlisted at the awards good luck.
Speaking about the shortlisting, Kayleigh Dixon, Director at DPP said:
Receiving the shortlist for this award is recognition of the positive impact of the work we do as planners. The Sunderland Riverside Masterplan is ambitious and DPP are proud to be playing a key role in the significant regeneration for the area.
The awards ceremony will take place on Friday 27th June 2025 and the DPP team is looking forward to being in attendance.
