The objective of the project was to provide a record of the building in its present state, together with an assessment of its historical and archaeological significance to inform the potential impact of the proposed works. A brief summary of the history of the area is provided as background information. The updated regional research framework North-East Regional Research Framework for the Historic Environment (NERRF 2.0) (https://researchframeworks.org/nerf/ accessed 01-09-2025) contains an agenda for archaeological research in the region. The scheme of works was designed to address agenda item Pmed8: How can archaeology help us better understanding the development of facilities for social welfare and civil life in the post-medieval period? and MO10: How can we record and understand changing architectural styles? Significance in terms of heritage-related planning policy is defined by the National Planning Policy Framework Annex 2: Glossary (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ national-planning-policy-framework/annex-2-glossary) as the value of a heritage asset to this and future generations because of its heritage interest. In the planning context heritage interest may be archaeological, architectural and artistic, or historic. The Institute has been described as "an imposing sandstone and red brick composition (Sunderland City Council) and also as an attractive gateway feature into the city centre on approach from the inner ring road (Newman et al, 2020, 119). The original building presents an impressive façade on Villiers Street. The building is not listed, and is considered to be of local significance. It is currently located beyond the eastern boundary of the Sunniside Conservation Area, but it has been proposed that the Conservation Area boundary is expanded east to as far as the south end of Sans Street: this would then incorporate the south end of Villiers Street, including the former Institute building. The building should be considered for inclusion in any future Local List of historically significant buildings. The building was designed by J and T Tillman, following their work on the Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens. However, although the 1883 illustration (Figure 4) shows that the building as designed was intended to echo some of the architectural grandeur of the earlier buildings, the structure as built is more understated, and less architecturally significant. The building retains architectural and artistic significance in the context of the local area. The Institute also derives significance from its almost 85 years history as the purpose-built Institute for the Blind. It would have been one of the earliest such buildings in the UK. The east façade is the most significant reflection of its importance, and its retention is a consideration for any future development proposals. The internal arrangement of the building has been heavily compromised by alterations: these have removed most of the original internal divisions, and few original features of interest are retained. Surviving elements of tiled flooring and a petrol pump contribute to the understanding of the buildings history. Development of the interior is therefore unlikely to have a significant impact. The stained glass window bearing the hexagram / Star of David motif and a Latin inscription is worth considering for preservation within any development proposal: this is because it has some artistic value, and as the inscription provides a historic connection with the work of the Institute to improve the lives of blind people in Sunderland and County Durham.
J D Armstrong (Wed,) studied this question.