By Doncaster town centre to be transformed through £18.6m Levelling Up fund
Doncaster Council plans to transform the town centre after they received £18.6m out of the Government’s Levelling Up fund.
Doncaster’s bid was deemed successful during Rishi Sunak’s Budget announcement on Wednesday 27 October.
The Levelling Up fund will boost the economy for Doncaster following the Covid-19 pandemic.
The projects planned include a transformation of the Waterfront, the regeneration of the Enterprise Market Place and further development to the area surrounding the Civic and Cultural Quarter (CCQ).
The Waterfront will evolve into a natural extension of the town centre as well as a place of its own.
The redevelopment will include a hospital and film studio amongst other buildings, as well as a green space that will benefit the environment.
The Enterprise Market Place’s regeneration will also “protect and enhance the iconic Grade II* Listed Corn Exchange” as well as restore the traditional shop fronts on the surrounding streets.
The final project brought about through the Levelling Up fund aims to improve the culture around the CCQ by transforming the abandoned 1930s St James Baths building into a new spa and leisure facility.
The old central library and Copley House will be demolished to make way for a new outdoor space.
The projects aim to contribute towards Doncaster Council’s plans to reach net zero by 2050 by improving the air quality across the town centre as well as its biodiversity.
Ros Jones, Mayor of Doncaster, told Doncaster Council: “We are absolutely delighted with the funding news – this is a real boost to Doncaster.
“The [Levelling Up] funding that we’ve secured will complement all the work underway with our partners to revitalise the town centre as part of our Urban Centre Masterplan increasing the attractiveness of Doncaster to encourage more people into the town.
“We welcome this further opportunity to progress the redevelopment of key areas of the town centre that will see [the] transformation of ageing and abandoned buildings into usable amenity space, providing an attractive public realm that encourages footfall, boosting green space and supporting active travel.
“In addition, […] civic pride [will be developed through] investing in culture, housing, infrastructure, connectivity and the environment.
“The projects will also support new businesses, many of which will create jobs, and the redevelopment of St James Baths will provide both employment opportunities and facilities that will enable residents to actively participate in sports and physical activity.”
