The former Vaux brewery site has been dormant for almost 17 years, however the redevelopment, which is part of a £100m programme to regenerate Sunderland city centre, is set to start in the summer this year.

Siglion submitted the planning application to build the new office space and John Seager, Chief Executive said the company was excited to finally begin the work.

"This is such a focal point for Sunderland, and its position at the entrance to the city centre is hugely important to how people coming into Sunderland perceive the city.

“The first phase will create a superb office development, providing the city with some of the best quality working space to be found anywhere in the North East.

"This truly is a flagship development for the city, which will bring employment and money into Sunderland's economy, both during the construction phase and in the longer term."

Irene Lucas CBE, Chief Executive of Sunderland City Council added that the go-ahead to start work at Vaux was an important moment for the development of the city.

"This flagship location is one of the first things people see when they come into the city centre and we're excited that work can now begin on providing this important location with the kind of development that reflects the modern, forward-looking city that Sunderland is."

Outlined planning permission also has been granted by the council for another development on the Vaux site which will see the creation of 200 homes.

Neil McMillan, Siglion Chair concluded: “We worked hard in consultation with local stakeholders to create a transformational masterplan for Vaux, and I believe that's what we have achieved.

“We are now focussed on the delivery of the first phase which is planned to commence in the summer."

Picture attributed to Carillion.