Market square revamp for Mexborough gets the green light

The scheme will involve the removal of the existing iron gates and police chiefs are worried about the prospect of “gatherings that are not suitably surveyed or controlled which will increase the likelihood of crime and disorder”.

Doncaster Council’s planning committee voted to approve the plans, which are part of a £400,000 regeneration scheme, at a meeting last week.

It followed months of frosty relations between market traders, council officials and borough councillors over how many stalls would be “fixed” and how many replaced with gazebos used only on market dats.

The plans also involve improved access for the disabled, new planters and modern seating.

South Yorkshire Police said the potential for gatherings and anti-social behaviour would “in turn increase fear of crime within other users, thereby limiting the numbers of legitimate users that are happy to attend ‘out of hours’”.

A statement added: “South Yorkshire Police believe approval of this application will provide potential for disorder in an area that has only limited surveillance in the shape of public realm cameras.”

But Doncaster Council officers said the changes, which are expected to start early next year, would create a “high quality public space” and noted that “the current fencing gives a negative perception of the area and creates a fear of crime, which does not encourage the use of the public area and undermines community cohesion”.

The planning report, which was backed unanimously by councillors, concluded: “It is felt that the application has been designed to mitigate these (police) concerns and create an accessible square used by all adding vitality and community value to the town centre rather than creating an impression of the fear of crime and enclosed spaces.”