Future of shopping precinct undecided, says council

The future of a Doncaster shopping precinct appears uncertain, as part of it does not appear in new images of a city centre masterplan.

City of Doncaster Council has launched its vision for the city centre up to 2050, including changes in the Civic Quarter and Market, and continued development of the Waterfront.

There has been speculation over the future of Waterdale as the council continues to work towards a deal to take ownership of the site south of Kingsgate.

There are indications from the authority's chosen developer Capital & Centric that the site will be knocked down, but the council says it is looking at options and has not made a final decision.

Waterdale was built in the 1960s and had a steady footfall of shoppers and commuters heading to the bus station.

It started to decline when the new Doncaster Interchange diverted public transport away.

In the masterplan, artists' impressions show a part of the building, which contains businesses like Vault 14 and the Little Goat Coffee Co and flats on the top level, has been removed in favour of a new open space with trees and shrubbery.

A council spokesperson said the masterplan was "aspirational" and no final decisions had been made over Waterdale, adding that residents and businesses would be consulted with before any proposals are put forward for planning permission.

The masterplan shows a range of upgrades to the "retail core" of the city centre, with new paved streets lined with modern benches and planters.

It explains how the council wants to "strengthen" the role of the market and Hall Gate as "the heart of the city centre" with ambitions to create a "welcoming, accessible and vibrant destination".

There would be new Grade A office space as well as more than 2,000 city centre homes.

Land directly outside Doncaster Railway Station would be redeveloped to create a new "prominent frontage" with a large, modernised open space with Gateway One, the building currently under construction.

Another building called Gateway Two appears in the images, attached to The Railway pub where the Doncaster station car park currently is.

The masterplan also highlights new communities along the River Don with "a series of integrated waterfront neighbourhoods that extend and enhance Doncaster city centre".

Images show two additional development areas next to the river, Waterfront West and Minster Canalside.

Minster Canalside would "strengthen connections" between the city centre, waterfront and surrounding neighbourhoods while "retaining the historic significance of St George's Minster".

Artists' impressions suggest Minster Canalside would be developed around the existing Doncaster Canal Wharf, with green space on the banks of the river and hospitality venues with outdoor seating.

Waterfront West would run along both banks of the River Don and could span from the Minster Canalside area down to and beyond Friars Gate.

It comes months after the council finished work at Waterfront East, a plot of land north of Doncaster College, transforming it into prime development area with plans for homes and a film studio.

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North