Consultation planned over Mexborough's new masterplan

Consultants David Lock Associates have been appointed by Doncaster Council to produce the plan and will be meeting businesses, councillors and other members of the community before the draft plan is revealed to business owners at a meeting of Mexborough Forum in October.

Public consultation events will be held over the coming weeks, with details yet to be released by Doncaster Council.

Cllr Sean Gibbons, who was involved in preliminary discussions alongside Mexborough First colleague Cllr Andy Pickering, said the focus would be on  Bank Street, High Street, Main Street and the surrounding areas.

He added: “It has been a very slow and challenging process to convince the Mayor and Cabinet to commission this vital piece of work for our town but work is currently underway!

“David Lock Associates will be meeting with community stakeholders throughout September and October to consult on the plan and include their views and aspirations.”

At the launch in October, the plan will be formally signed off and a timeline agreed for its implementation, including the way forward for landing the investment needed.

Meanwhile, Doncaster Council this week published the latest version of its Local Plan for the next 30 years, which allocates what purposes different sites across the borough should be used for.

As well as setting a target range of building between 475 and 985 new homes in Mexborough by 2035, the plan also outlines the council’s policy on the town centre.

It states: “Mexborough town centre will be a thriving and distinctive shopping and leisure destination serving the south-west of Doncaster and adjoining parts of the Dearne Valley and beyond. 

“The town centre will be extended and enhanced to accommodate new and improved retail facilities, new office accommodation, canal-side housing development and better links to Mexborough railway station, with clearly defined spaces. 

“The historic character of the town centre will be preserved and enhanced through high quality infill development.”

The Local Plan, which will now go to the Government for consideration, calls for an upgrade to existing retail provision, including a new supermarket in the heart of the centre, environmental measures like tree planting and new street furniture, particularly at High Street, Bank Street and York Square and the sympathetic restoration of Mexborough’s historic buildings.

Doncaster Council has been asked for comment on the development of the Mexborough masterplan.