The Regeneration & Housing Overview & Scrutiny Panel of Doncaster Council met on Monday 9th March 2026 to discuss major regeneration schemes in the city centre, progress on Levelling Up Fund projects in Mexborough and Moorends, and the council's forward plan. The meeting also reviewed the panel's work plan for the upcoming year.

Major Schemes - Waterfront and Waterdale

The panel was scheduled to receive an update on the regeneration progress for the Waterfront and Waterdale areas of Doncaster. These areas are considered strategically important for the city centre, with the potential to significantly enhance its appeal.

The Waterfront site, a 23-acre area near the rail station, has a history of industrial uses including a gas works, toffee factory, and scrapyard, which have resulted in contamination such as cyanide, arsenic, and lead. A remediation project, budgeted at £14.49 million, commenced in December 2024 and was scheduled for completion in February 2026. This project involved site-wide excavation and remediation to a standard suitable for sensitive redevelopment, including residential use. Social key performance indicators (KPIs) for the remediation project included local spend targets and local employment. An interim landscaping plan was also presented, detailing proposed public open spaces, footpaths, and seating areas.

Future regeneration plans for the Waterfront include a Digital Production and Innovation Hub featuring film and digital content studios, a data centre, and potential residential and hotel facilities.

For Waterdale, the report highlighted a major opportunity for residential and commercial development on vacant land, aiming to link the civic and cultural quarter back into the city centre. The proposed regeneration includes new development and refurbishment, defining clear streets and active ground-floor frontages. A portion of the Waterdale area is to be transferred to the City of Doncaster Council for regeneration, with plans for a residential-led scheme supported by commercial development. A Health on the High Street initiative is also underway, with the City of Doncaster Council leasing a building in Waterdale for the provision of health services by the Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust.

Levelling Up Fund Round 3 Progress across Mexborough and Moorends

The panel was set to receive an update on the progress of projects funded by the £17,950,341 awarded to Doncaster Council from the Levelling Up Fund (LUF) Round 3. This funding is designated for capital interventions and regeneration in Mexborough and Moorends, with the aim of improving economic resilience, productivity, and health and wellbeing.

The LUF Round 3 package for Doncaster North includes £12,531,172 for the transformation of Mexborough town centre and £3,937,864 for revitalising the heart and heritage of Moorends. The deadline for the delivery of all LUF-funded activity was extended to 31st March 2028.

In Mexborough, key deliverables include a high street landscape scheme with improvements to Bank Street, Swinton Road, and Station Road, enhanced paths to the Athletic Sports Club, a shop front improvement scheme for approximately 80 shops, and a markets regeneration project. The markets regeneration includes the demolition of a multi-storey car park, resurfacing of vacant land for free parking, improvements to the outdoor market area in York Square, and the repurposing of the indoor market into a WoolMarket Food Hall and a multipurpose community space.

For Moorends, projects include public realm improvements on Marshland Road and Wembley Road, the creation of a pocket park on Wembley Road, improvements to The Circle public realm, the Pig Hill Allotments, The Recreation Ground, and the Darlington Grove Play area. The Moorends projects aim to revitalise the community through street and shop frontage enhancements, new street furniture and planting, and the creation of green and cultural spaces. The Pig Hill Allotments project includes site clearance, provision of parking and access, and the development of educational facilities with solar power.

Overview and Scrutiny Work Plan 2025/26 and the Council's Forward Plan of Key Decisions

The panel was scheduled to review its Overview and Scrutiny Work Plan for 2025/26 and the Council's Forward Plan of Key Decisions. The Forward Plan outlines key decisions expected to be taken by the Cabinet, Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Portfolio Holders, or Officers between 1st March and 30th June 2026. These decisions are defined as those likely to result in significant expenditure or savings, or have a significant effect on communities across two or more wards. The Forward Plan details upcoming decisions, relevant cabinet members, decision-making bodies, and contact officers.

The work plan for the Regeneration and Housing Overview & Scrutiny Panel for the 2025/26 period was also to be discussed, outlining scheduled meetings and topics for review throughout the year.