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Planning approval for Civic and Cultural Quarter

Plans for the creation of Doncaster’s Civic and Cultural Quarter (CCQ) are one step closer to becoming reality with the announcement this week that the project’s outline planning application, subject to rubber-stamping by the Government Office, was granted by the Planning Authority.

Doncaster Council's Cabinet Member for Business and Regeneration, Councillor Jonathan Wood, said: "The scheme is progressing well and outline planning is a significant milestone to have passed. Demolition work at the site is well underway, and we are looking forward to seeing the project come to life, transforming a declining part of the town centre into a regional business and cultural hotspot.

“There’s still one final push needed before the vision can become a reality and that’s securing grant funding support from Yorkshire Forward. We are hopeful this will be determined in the next few weeks.”

Dan Needham, from Muse Developments, said: “Waterdale Civic and Cultural Quarter is a large scale regeneration project which will have a positive economic and social impact on Doncaster town centre. This is complete area regeneration and will introduce attractive, highly energy efficient buildings as well as infrastructure that improves connectivity with surrounding neighbourhoods and act as a catalyst for further regeneration."

This important decision that approves the key principles of the scheme is subject to a Section 106 legal agreement being signed. This agreement will ensure the scheme includes an element of affordable housing and caters for the transport needs of the town. The application will now be referred to the Government Office for their consideration.

In the coming months, a series of full planning applications that set out detailed designs of the buildings included in the first phase will be submitted to the planners.

Construction of the first phase is expected to begin next year and should be open for business in 2012. 

The redevelopment of this 25 acre brownfield site on the south side of Doncaster’s town centre will take about eight years to complete. This makeover will deliver first class facilities and attractions turning the area into a destination of choice for investors, businesses and residents.