Change of Use and Conversions in Sunderland: Upper Floors, Shops and Mixed-Use Buildings

Many town-centre buildings in Sunderland have shops or offices trading downstairs and empty space above. Turning that space into homes can work well for owners and for the street – if the planning route, escape stairs, sound separation and services are thought through from the start.

What we do

• Feasibility: use class, planning history and whether permitted development or full planning applies

• Layouts for flats or rooms around a protected stair and safe escape routes

• The planning application, including heritage and flood information where needed

• Building Regulations: fire and acoustic separation between uses, ventilation and extract routes

Recent project – 20A Derwent Street, Sunderland (24/00878/FUL)

The ground-floor commercial units keep trading while the upper floors become self-contained flats. Circulation was reorganised around a protected stair, and the kitchen extract flue runs through a fire-rated, acoustically separated enclosure at every level it crosses. See the project

We also secured approval to turn a former chapel in a Workington Conservation Area into a family home: Seamen's Bethel.

Common questions

Can I convert a shop or office to flats without planning? Sometimes, under permitted development with prior approval, but conditions apply and Conservation Areas and listed buildings differ. We check which route fits.

Do you work with investors? Yes. We often start with a short feasibility study before purchase.

Have a building in mind? Tell us about it or see our conversions service.