Memorandum submitted by Doncaster Metropolitan
Borough Council
1. Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council
(DMBC) has long experience of working with British Waterways (BW)
to achieve our core aims of economic regeneration, environmental
improvement and a reduction in social inequalities.
2. DMBC recognises and values the navigable
River Don corridor within and beyond the Borough for its amenity,
recreational and economic regeneration potential. This historic
watercourse has traditionally been a provider of employment, transportation
and communications for not only Doncaster town but also other
towns in the Borough such as Thorne, Mexborough and Conisbrough.
3. Although the Don's transportation role
has been somewhat diminished of late, it is increasingly being
recognised that the imaginative exploitation of high-quality urban
waterside locations can be a vital key to the regeneration of
towns and cities. We would call to mind successful examples in
northern cities such as Leeds and Manchester.
4. DMBC has a close working relationship
with BW which dates back to before the South Yorkshire Navigation
was significantly upgraded in the 1970s. Since then, the Council
has collaborated with BW on a number of occasions to seek ways
of exploiting the waterway's potential for environmental and economic
regeneration. These examples range from the development of an
emerging strategy for waterside development along the length of
the waterway to individual initiatives such as exploring possibilities
for transportation of biomass.
5. Doncaster is one of Yorkshire Forward's
phase 1 "Renaissance Towns"—a project aimed at
delivering publicly generated urban renaissance visions through
the "Town Team" concept. As a member of the "Town
Team", British Waterways was heavily involved with this process
which resulted in a regeneration masterplan for Doncaster town
centre based on plans to exploit the canal waterfront for expansion
of the town centre.
6. More recently, BW has collaborated with
the Council to deliver a major, new waterways basin for leisure
craft in the town centre and has been a prime mover in the "Minster
Quarter" regeneration partnership which involves canalside
mixed-use development.
7. The Council values its relationship with
BW. We are appreciative of BW's contribution to urban renaissance
in Doncaster and applaud its wider UK role in promoting regeneration.
Jeff Prior
Principal Planner
Development and Planning
Doncaster MBC
March 2008
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