Plan to bid for £50m Government cash to regenerate towns

Mayor Ros Jones and the council’s cabinet will consider two Towns Fund bids totalling £50m on 26 January to help transform Doncaster and Stainforth town centres.

If approved, the funding will support regeneration projects drawn up by the Doncaster and Stainforth Town Deal Boards.

The major improvement schemes feature in dedicated Town Investment Plans which, if backed by the Government, will see Doncaster and Stainforth each receive £25m.

Jones said: “With the help and support of residents and businesses we have pulled together comprehensive investment plans which set out a series of projects for Doncaster and Stainforth that will have a transformational and inspirational effect for generations to come.

“We have been undertaking a significant regeneration programme in Doncaster in recent years and we want to continue the upward trajectory to create more opportunities for our residents.

“At a time of such economic uncertainty, the need to deliver a significant economic uplift for both Doncaster and Stainforth has never been more crucial if we are to secure the anticipated levels of employment and business growth for both areas.”

For central Doncaster, the proposals aim to revamp the gateway into the town centre and stimulate long-term economic investment and growth.

They include extending the square outside Doncaster Railway Station, creating office space close to the station in the form of a four or five-storey building and commissioning feasibility studies of identified heritage locations to define a new future for these sites.

Plans for Stainforth include transforming the gateway between the station and the town, improvements to the town centre such as streetscape and shop front enhancements along with a new civic space and a community hub and a better street network featuring a link to connect East Lane with the Unity Way roundabout.

Meanwhile, the former colliery headstocks would be restored to become a visitor centre, while a new country park would provide a green space for outdoor events and activities.

John Roe, founder and managing director of Roeville, a Stainforth-based Software House and chairman of the Stainforth Town Deal Board, said: “This is about seeking out opportunity and securing the glue required to bind a well thought out Neighbourhood Plan with a timely initiative to develop the old colliery site and adjacent land bounded by the M18 Corridor.

“It is about providing real hope, aspirations, jobs, housing, positive health outcomes linked to town centre development, a country park and better streetscaping.”

The Towns Fund is a Government scheme for towns to boost economic productivity and support sustainable growth. Doncaster and Stainforth are two of 101 towns across the country eligible to bid.

Subject to cabinet approval, the council will submit both Town Investment Plans to Government with further news on the bids expected later in the year.

Click here to sign up to receive our new South West business news...
Close