Scheme to create 7,000 jobs and add £910m to economy moves forward
A property and regeneration firm has been chosen as joint venture partner to create a sustainable mixed-use community that will bring 7,000 new jobs to the north of England.
Hargreaves Land, the property and land division of Hargreaves Services PLC, has entered into a joint venture partnership with construction and development specialist Waystone, to deliver the Unity scheme in Doncaster.
The development, which will include 3,100 new homes, a marina, school, transport hub and 80 hectares of open spaces, is located by the M18 and M180 junction in South Yorkshire.
The 250-hectare, low-carbon community is intended to transform this part of Doncaster.
With 60 hectares dedicated to commercial use, it is thought £910m will be injected into the local economy over the next 20 years.
Waystone, which is experienced in the regeneration and development of large sites and is supported by its parent company CP Holdings, secured planning consent for Unity in 2015.
In April this year, work started work on the new DN7 Hatfield link road, for which Waystone secured planning consent in 2009.
This will create a 2.9km road between the M18 at Junction 5 to Waggons Way next to the former Hatfield Colliery, improving access to the motorway network for residents in local communities.
Stuart McLoughlin, Managing Director of Waystone, said: “We have been working to bring this scheme forward for over 10 years and the commencement of the link road in April allows the development work to proceed.
“So much goes in to designing an ambitious and transformational scheme such as Unity, including innovative engineering solutions to create a vibrant and attractive community that local people will be proud to call home.
“We are pleased to have Hargreaves Land on board as development partner going forward.”
The Hargreaves Group employs more than 2,000 people and delivers key projects and services in the property and industrial sectors, with a growing focus on optimising the development value of its 15,000 acre land portfolio.
David Anderson, Group Property Director at Hargreaves Land, added: “Our expertise in servicing large-scale sites and developing commercial floorspace means this project is a great fit for Hargreaves Land.
“Not only will Unity stimulate economic regeneration, but it will promote social inclusion and the health and wellbeing of people living in the area by improving access to quality community and leisure spaces.
“We’re very much looking forward to working with our partners at Waystone to bring this plan to fruition and we’re delighted that our latest investment is a site of national importance.”
Unity is being supported by Sheffield City Region which is part funding the link road, and also Homes England which is supporting the extensive proposed housing programme.
Consultants will now be appointed to help deliver the scheme, with marketing due to start imminently.
