Senior councillors asked to formally approve £25m city centre funding
Cabinet members at Doncaster Council have received a report asking for the approval of a financial package, which could see nearly £25m invested in one of the country’s newest cities.
As part of the Doncaster Town Deal, in partnership with the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, nearly £25m is being prepared to invest in an extension to the recently upgraded Railway Square (£4.149m) and the delivery of a new office/mixed-use building (£20.09m).
Both projects are said to offer significant enterprise and growth opportunities for the city.
It follows confirmation from central government that a £24.8m Towns Deal fund was approved for Doncaster in November 2021.
The projects will see the new square outside the railway station extended to allow for additional public space and to create a better first impression of Doncaster for visitors, while the proposed office space will also be based close to the station.
Portfolio holder at Doncaster Council for Housing and Business, Councillor Glyn Jones, said: “The overarching aim of the Doncaster Towns Deal is to help increase economic growth, with a clear focus on regeneration, improved transport, better broadband connectivity, skills and culture.
“The projects outlined will allow our newly-named city to deliver a new urban greenspace in the town centre which will improve current opportunities related to wellbeing and leisure for residents, as well as offering space for further potential employment opportunities, strengthening our mission to represent people, place and planet as a council.”
Chair of the Doncaster Town Deal Board, Tariq Shah, added: “This is a significant boost to the city centre and is designed to catalyse further public and private sector investment.
“Doncaster has fantastic connections and this will help us to utilise them even better.”
It is anticipated that, if approved by cabinet, the construction for these projects will begin in April 2024, with completion due by September 2025.
Cabinet members will meet on 8 June to discuss the proposals.
