Invest in Doncaster - Development Projects
Doncaster Development Direction (also known as 3D) is an initiative to drive a new approach to regeneration, and will deliver several projects to transform the town and its surrounding area. This project is a partnership of the local government, financial management and private sector.
These major projects are creating a wide spectrum of investment opportunities, and include:
- Doncaster Waterfront
- Civic and Cultural Quarter (CCQ)
Planned Developments
Doncaster Waterfront
Housing Development, Mixed Use Development, Major Commercial
Doncaster Waterfront is one of the central pillars of the town's renaissance and transformation. At the heart of the development will be an Education City and the project will also provide a range of commercial, leisure and residential facilities along with a 90 berth marina.
The Waterfront is situated to the north of the town centre and is surrounded by Church Way to the south and the River Don New Cut to the north. The Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation Canal runs through the middle of the area and the development will enjoy some outstanding views of the surrounding landscape.
The Waterfront will be one of the most significant development opportunities within the urban centre and will:
- Provide a catalyst to stimulate investor confidence across the Borough.
- Form an essential element of the renaissance of the town and enhance the image and perceptions of Doncaster.
- Reconnect the town centre and markets area with its water frontage.
- Create new opportunities for investment.
A 10-year master plan has been prepared for the Waterfront as part of Yorkshire Forward’s Urban Renaissance programme. It is supported by a comprehensive strategy for the implementation of sustainable environmental and infrastructure solutions.
The process of delivery has commenced and the Waterfront’s first occupier was Doncaster Education City (DEC), a £70 million gateway scheme, which opened in September 2006. DEC has set the design standard for future development of the Waterfront. The next phase started in March 2007, when the marina development, site preparation, and the stabilising of the canal began. In this phase the major roundabouts near the scheme will also be remodeled.
Waterdale Civic and Cultural Quarter
Housing Development, Retail Development, Mixed Use DevelopmentThe Waterdale Civic and Cultural Quarter was proposed as part of the 2003 Urban Renaissance Masterplan. The area will be a unique space that includes civic buildings, a new civic square, shopping, housing, offices restaurants, leisure and other uses. The area is planned to be an attraction in its own right and an important counterbalance to development elsewhere in the town.
It is estimated that the project will create up to 645,000 sq. ft. of new floor space, and the equivalent of over 1,500 new permanent jobs. The massive potential of the redevelopment area is emphasised by the fact that the scheme will be worth approximately £300 million, and will contribute more than £18 million to Doncaster’s net Gross Value Added.
At the same time, Doncaster Council has acknowledged the need to improve many of Doncaster’s civic facilities. In particular, providing a new performance venue has been a long-term ambition, and the current library and leisure facilities are in need of being upgraded.
The complexities involved in solving all these issues simultaneously led the Council to develop the innovative CCQ project, which combines the desire to provide improved civic facilities with the need to regenerate the area.
The rationale for co-ordinated redevelopment of the Waterdale area has been based on a ‘triple bottom line’ approach, which considers not only the financial implications, but also social and environmental concerns. As a result, the commercial property elements enable the delivery of social infrastructure, whilst being mindful of the impact of development on the environment.
This approach gives the Council the opportunity to lead the way in co-ordinated socially and environmentally responsible development, which is capable of delivering a return sufficient to fund civic and cultural facilities, public realm, infrastructure and highways improvements. This would otherwise not be possible through a piecemeal approach.
