Plea to help with plans for 18,000 new homes

Doncaster Council has already drawn up its so-called Core Strategy, which sets out broad aspirations and general principles for the future of the town and its surrounding communities over the next 16 years.

But now a more detailed plan is being drawn up to earmark land for both housing and industrial development, and Doncaster Council’s development director, Peter Dale, said it was vital that people got involved.

Launching the consultation yesterday, Mr Dale said: “The next step of our plan is to decide exact sites where new homes and businesses will be built.

“We need views on what we build and where. The opinions of residents, business and other people interested in the future of the borough will help us with this.”

As part of its “sites and policies” plan, Doncaster Council has to highlight sites for up to 18,450 new homes, 720 acres (290 hectares) of land for distribution warehouses, 470 acres (190 hectares) for light industry and manufacturing and hundreds of thousands of square feet for new office space.

The website shows a series of maps which detail the proposed sites which are in Doncaster and surrounding towns and villages including Thorne, Rossington, Armthorpe, Conisbrough and Adwick.

An “interactive” map is also available along with the draft plan in full.

Mr Dale added: “We will also be running events in the town centre and around the borough where we can see you in person and hear what your comments are.”

Pages detailing the consultation have been made available on Doncaster Council’s website at www.doncaster.gov.uk/ldf and comments can be made by calling 01302 734419.