Invest

The 2003 Urban Renaissance Masterplan identified the potential to create an exciting new Civic and Cultural Quarter (CCQ) in Doncaster. This will be an area unlike any other in Doncaster, with civic buildings, a new civic square, offices, shopping, housing, restaurants, leisure and other uses. This area will be an attraction in itself and an important counterbalance to development elsewhere in the town centre, adding significantly to the image of the town.
 
It is estimated that improving the area 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 not up to 21st century standards. Similarly, the Council offices in the town centre are now outside their lifespan, and need significant capital and revenue investment.
 
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. 
 
Further details of this project can be obtained from David Hazard, 3D, The Blue Building, 38/40 High Street, Doncaster DN1 1DE.

To view the plan for the new Civic and Cultural quarter follow the link below: