Muse wins £300m Doncaster contract

MUSE Developments has signed a £300m development agreement to build a civic and cultural quarter in Doncaster town centre.

Salford-based Muse has signed the contract with Doncaster Council for the regeneration of its Waterdale area.

However, the first phase of the development, which includes a new performance venue, is conditional upon grant funding from development agency Yorkshire Forward, with a decision expected in August.

The first phase represents around 40% of the total redevelopment of the civic and cultural quarter and includes Doncaster’s first public square, a four-star hotel, additional public space on the Horsefair Green site opposite Ward Brothers, a civic and council chamber, a pedestrian area.

Town houses and apartments are planned on the site of the former Beechfield School, while the existing Denison House will be converted into apartments.

Preparatory work on the site will start in May 2009, with construction due to begin by the end of the year. Phase one is expected to be complete by early 2012.

The complete scheme involves the redevelopment of around 25 acres in the south of the town centre.

Phases two, three and four of the civic and cultural quarter will include a library and art showcase area, leisure developments including a swimming pool, office space, car parking and additional housing.

The agreement follows two further contracts secured by the developer within the past six months, in Swindon and Blackpool, which have a total value of £570m. 

Dan Needham, regional director for Muse Developments, said: “Doncaster is one of the UK’s largest towns and requires both a long-term vision and significant investment from the public and private sector to ensure it is not left behind in the regeneration game.

“The signing of this contract is very good news for Doncaster and although there are significant challenges ahead in terms of securing grant funding for the new performance venue, this agreement does herald a new era. There is much work to be done but ours is a long-term commitment.”