Doncaster was also one of the first towns to be selected for the Renaissance Towns Programme by Yorkshire Forward in 2001. Doncaster has taken a different approach to the delivery of renaissance compared to other towns by forming a partnership between the local authority and the private sector, called Doncaster Development Direction (3D).

Doncaster aspires to be a city and the scale of its projects reflect this vision. The Renaissance Masterplan, developed with lead advisors Urban Initiatives, proposes a town that is well connected; where the waterfront is a centre for learning, next to housing, offices and leisure activities. A cultural quarter is suggested, as well as new buildings to create a ‘great street’. The vision suggests the different parts of the town are all connected by linked public spaces that promote easy movement across the town.

The key projects identified to achieve the vision are:

• Doncaster waterfront: an educational centre, housing, offices, leisure facilities and a 90-berth marina.
• Civic and cultural quarter: a new performance venue, leisure facilities, new civic buildings, swimming pool, library and town centre living.
• Great Street: a redesign of part of Doncaster’s ring road so that it is lined with great buildings that front onto the street.

Yorkshire Forward will invest approximately £21.5m in the Doncaster renaissance programme.

To find out more about the projects you can visit – www.doncaster-3d.co.uk