Wearside Golf Club, near Washington, has been given the green light to develop its 15.5-acre practice site into a new facility, including a driving range, short course, and putting green.
It marks a significant expansion for the North East golf course.
Hailing the approval, Steve Belchamber, club secretary, said: “This provides a wonderful opportunity, not only for the members of Wearside Golf Club, but for the general public of Sunderland to come and use what will be a brand new facility.”
However, the proposal sparked 67 public responses, with 49 objections and 18 in support.
Objections were primarily focused on highway safety, horse-riding safety, and environmental impact from construction traffic.
To alleviate concerns, a Sunderland City Council committee placed conditions on the development, including rerouting existing access routes.
Although the proposal was deemed inappropriate for the green belt, the committee felt that “very special circumstances” justified its approval.
A planning committee meeting resolved that it was minded to approve, subject to a referral to the Secretary of State.
However, on December 15, 2025, the Secretary of State decided not to call in the application, leaving the decision to the local planning authority.
Final approval was granted on January 16 by Sunderland City Council