Homes finally set to be built on site left empty for years

Doncaster Council has selected housing developer Lovell to build the 122 new properties, and it is expected a full planning application will be submitted by the end of October.

Full approval could then be given by January next year and it is hoped work on the estate, in Hyde Park, could begin two months later.

Councillor Patrick Wilson, Doncaster Council's Cabinet member for housing, said: "Both Lovell and the council are working to a strict timetable and are extremely hopeful that work on site will commence by March 2011.

"We will continue to keep residents informed as we move into the next stages of redeveloping the Six Streets area for both existing and new residents alike."

Former Mayor Martin Winter approved the Six Streets regeneration project in 2005, after the area became increasingly unpopular as a place to live and became more and more run-down.

In May this year, environmental improvements began on those houses in the area which were not demolished, which involves brick washing and replacing more than 180 windows and 165 front doors.

Those plans, costing 1.7m, had been put on hold for some time, in order to enable more consultation to be carried out.

Lovell regional director Noel Adams said: "We are delighted to have been chosen as preferred developer for this scheme which is set to transform the Six Streets neighbourhood, creating high-quality homes for people already living in the area, as well as attracting new residents."