Council outlines £16m scheme to revitalise towns

A £16m scheme to revitalise two Doncaster neighbourhoods and boost the economy is well under way, the council has said.

City of Doncaster Council documents have given an update on the Levelling Up projects which will regenerate Mexborough and Moorends.

The authority said the schemes were "vital" to boost the economy and improve people's health and wellbeing in the areas.

Around £12.5m is being spent on Mexborough town centre while almost £4m will be invested in Moorends, with the work due to be completed by March 2027.

In Mexborough the council said work would focus on improving the outdoor market at York Square.

Plans include creating a "pocket park" to open up the space and expose the Market Hall entrance and the retail units at the back.

Market traders will be relocated to empty retail units on York Square and specialist shops such as butchers will be offered a specific shop fit out.

The indoor market will be converted into a new food hall and multi-purpose community space, in order to take advantage of the new alfresco area on York Square.

The multi-storey car park is due to be demolished and the vacant land resurfaced to create free car parking.

There will be planting, lighting and a nature mural and living wall to make the area attractive from Greens Way.

There are plans for an open air live performance area with a busking zone, a seating area and space for pop up markets with antiques and vintage clothing.

Space will also be created for food festivals, outdoor theatre, seasonal activities and a Christmas tree.

The regeneration will also include landscaping High Street and improving Bank Street, Swinton Road and Station Road with better pavements, lighting and CCTV.

Plans include improving 80 shop fronts in High Street with coordinated signs while owners of vacant shops will be asked to look at pop-ups or to provide window wrapping to improve the look of the parade.

There will also be improvements to shop fronts around the Marshland Road and Wembley Road junction.

In Moorends the council said it would work to create better "street greenery" in Marshland Road, while shop fronts would be improved around the Marshland Road and Wembley Road junction and a pocket park with a mural will be created at Wembley Road.

At Darlington Grove the playground will be improved while the recreation ground will be given a new lease of life with events to celebrate Moorends' mining heritage, links to the allotments, improvements to the area around the Pit Wheel with seating and repairs to the existing multi-use games area.

The Pig Hill allotments site will be cleared to make way for new classrooms and a shop/office. Access to plots will be improved and there are plans for a renewable energy, self-sustained.

Councillors will discuss the update at a meeting on 9 March.

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