CCQ FAQs

• Why does Doncaster need a Civic and Cultural Quarter (CCQ)?
• When can we expect the CCQ to be complete and buildings open?
• What will the various buildings look like (e.g. new performance venue)?
• What will happen to the old Girls School?
• Why are new Civic Offices required?
• How will the CCQ be paid for?
• Why spend council money on the CCQ?
• What will happen to the Mansion House when the new Council Chamber is built?
• Why do you plan to replace St James Baths and Health Club?
• What will happen to the trees?
• Is the Waterdale Shopping Centre going to be regenerated as part of the scheme?
• Why does Doncaster need a new performance venue?
• Are there enough potential visitors to support the performance venue?
• Who will manage the performance venue?
• Why is Waterdale Road going to be pedestrianised?
• How will cars travel around the area?
• Will public transport serve the CCQ?
• Will car parking in the area be affected?

Why does Doncaster need a Civic and Cultural Quarter (CCQ)?

The CCQ will totally transform Waterdale which has been in decline for a number of years. If nothing was done the area could become derelict.

The carefully thought out masterplan with its consistent building design will replace the current mismatch of properties, styles and uses giving the area a clear identity. 

This important regeneration project will breathe new life into the area, drawing people in and encouraging redevelopment in the neighbouring areas (i.e. in and around the Waterdale Shopping Centre). 

It will:

• create new jobs
• increase private sector investment in Doncaster
• attract new business to the area
• replace redundant and tired buildings
• improve Doncaster’s urban landscape
• become a destination for business, residents, tourists and visitors
• substantially increase the amount of visitors to the areas
• enhance the image of Doncaster as a whole, which is vital for attracting companies and investors to the town
• be a place Doncaster residents can be proud to call their own
• help make Doncaster a better place where people want to work and live
• mean first-class leisure and entertainment facilities are on residents’ doorsteps
• boost Doncaster’s economy and that of the wider sub-region
• stimulate regeneration elsewhere in Doncaster

When can we expect the CCQ to be complete and buildings open?

The CCQ development is split into four stages and will take about eight years to complete.  As with all projects of this size, developments can sometimes over run so the timetable is likely to change.

First phase
Late 2010 – 2013

• New performance venue
• Civic Square and other public spaces
• New civic offices and Council Chamber
• Changes to road layouts. College Road opened up to Chequer Road and Waterdale Road becoming a shared space for pedestrians and public transport. This helps to reconnect the area with the rest of the town centre
• Renovated southern multi-storey car park providing safe and secure parking for the area
• Residential developments at Denison House and on part of the old Beechfield School site
• A possible 4 star, boutique hotel making use of the former Girls School

 Second phase

• Additional new parking provision
• New office developments
• Civic Theatre will be replaced with a new leisure related development 
• Various new leisure developments 
  
 Third phase

• New library and resource centre
• Residential development on the Scarborough House site 
  
 Fourth phase

• Further residential developments (i.e. Copley House)
• Additional leisure developments on unoccupied sites

What will the various buildings look like (e.g. new performance venue)?

Detailed designs on the look and layout of the developments are shown in the other sections of this website.

The new buildings and the entire development will be state-of-the-art creating a lasting legacy for future generations.

What will happen to the old Girls School?

The important architectural features of old Girls School such as the facade will be restored to their former glory. The building will have a new use, potentially a luxurious boutique hotel.

Why are new Civic Offices required?

The proposed civic accommodation will offer the Doncaster public a convenient one-stop shop for front line council services. The council’s office buildings are in a poor state of repair and would need significant financial investment to bring them up to an acceptable level.  Bringing staff from these buildings into one office block that incorporates the latest sustainable technology will improve the Doncaster townscape, help protect the environment and is important for regenerating the Waterdale area.
 
The new offices will allow old rundown sites such as the Scarborough House site to be redeveloped. Selling the land to Muse Developments, the council’s development partner, helps to fund the council’s contribution to this £300 million scheme.

How will the CCQ be paid for?

Doncaster Council’s contribution to the £300million CCQ project is about £85million. This is capital not revenue funding and can only be used to fund this capital project (i.e. cannot be spent on council services). Up to £200million worth of investment is anticipated from the private sector and the balance is European Union, Arts Council England and Yorkshire Forward funding.
 
The largest part of the council's contribution is the value of land sold to its development partner, Muse Developments for redevelopment. The council’s prudential borrowing for the project is £39.6million.
 
Arts Council England has contributed £2.1 million of money from the National Lottery towards the cost of the new performance venue and is providing the venue with about £100,000 per year towards its running costs.

Yorkshire Forward had approved £7.3million for a project to improve the CCQ site, which will create the right environment to encourage private sector investment. A separate project to deliver Doncaster’s new performance venue was set to receive £8.5million of funding.

Following the government’s decision to stop funding Regional Development Agencies, Yorkshire Forward has determined that they will have to withdraw their funding for the project. This will see about £12.1million of the original £15.8million of funding not being available.

The council has claimed over £1.2 million from Yorkshire Forward for work already completed and the £2.5million of European Union funding, provided through the European Regional Development Fund, is still available. This funding will support work on the civic square and public realm.

Working closely with development partner, Muse Developments, efficiencies have been made to the delivery of the programme. More importantly, the competitive marketplace for construction work has led to the tenders for the building of the first phase elements coming in below budget. This has offset the withdrawal of some of the funding from Yorkshire Forward.

Why spend council money on the CCQ?

Please see the answers to: "How will the CCQ be paid for?" and “Why does Doncaster need a Civic and Cultural Quarter (CCQ)?”

If the CCQ did not proceed, independent estimates have shown that the costs of general maintenance to the council’s buildings included in the plans are estimated at £40million over 25 years. This includes Council House, Copley House and Scarborough House.

Rather than spending money patching up old buildings, these funds will pave the way for modern council offices that offer better services for residents. A number of the vacated buildings and sites will be sold leading to substantial private sector investment, new developments and attractions in the town centre. This will regenerate Waterdale and deliver a welcome boost to the economy.

What will happen to the Mansion House when the new Council Chamber is built?

The Mansion House is part of Doncaster’s heritage and a building of national significance for the town and its residents.  Once the new Council Chamber is open, the Mansion House is unlikely to be used for council meetings.  This should mean there are more opportunities for the building to open its doors to residents hosting more public events like the popular afternoon tea dances.

Why do you plan to replace St James Baths and Health Club?

Doncaster has aspirations to provide residents with 21st Century standard facilities.  Unfortunately, St James Baths falls short of this mark.  The aging building requires significant investment and any refurbishment would not deliver a modern facility.  Ongoing maintenance on old buildings is also more costly. 

These plans would, subject to approval, take place in the later phases of work.

What will happen to the trees?

It is the intention to retain as many trees as possible as they provide attractive landscaping in the public square.

Is the Waterdale Shopping Centre going to be regenerated as part of the scheme?

Although the Waterdale Shopping Centre is not included within the scheme, the increased numbers of people visiting the CCQ should act as a catalyst for new investment in neighbouring streets and shopping areas.  Regenerating the Waterdale area will create superb opportunities for new business ventures in other parts of the town centre. The CCQ will deliver much more than revitalise Waterdale with entrepreneurs and existing businesses expected to benefit significantly.

Why does Doncaster need a new performance venue?

Doncaster residents deserve first class facilities.  The new venue will deliver this by replacing the old Civic Theatre, which has now reached the end of its useful life.  Doncaster will benefit from a quality multi-purpose venue that offers a wide range of performances and opportunities designed to cater for all tastes and needs.

The large 600 seat main auditorium and its excellent facilities will attract high quality entertainment to Doncaster.  A second 200 seat and 400 standing flexible auditorium, dance and drama studios, two dedicated spaces for learning and a café and bar area are all included in the plans. With numerous adaptable spaces and uses, the venue will also benefit Doncaster’s own performing groups, schools and colleges and the local community. 
 
With a fresh and unique programme that really does offer something for everyone, new participants and audiences from Doncaster and the surrounding region will be drawn in.

Are there enough potential visitors to support the performance venue?

A range of independent assessments have shown strong market potential for the venue, particularly because it will offer a wider range of programmes and activities designed to appeal to a broad range of people.

The venue is much more than just a theatre. Being open day and night for all kinds of activities, it is expected to be well used and attended.

Who will manage the performance venue?

Management options are being considered and the likely route will be an independent trust bringing together the council and other key community partners. 

Why is Waterdale Road going to be pedestrianised?

In making part of Waterdale Road a shared space for pedestrians and public transport, the area will become more accessible. It will help connect Waterdale to Doncaster’s town centre.  Work on this will only start when the new College Road/Chequer Road junction is opened.

How will cars travel around the area?

Cars will be redirected down College Road, behind the law courts and police station, to Chequer Road. The southern multi-storey car park is being revamped with a new entrance off College Road. These measures should mean there is minimal impact on traffic flows.

Will public transport serve the CCQ?

Waterdale Road will become pedestrian friendly with only public transport and service vehicles allowed access into the area.  The intention is that main bus routes will filter through the CCQ to and from the Frenchgate Interchange.

Will car parking in the area be affected?

The only public car parking that will be lost permanently is the Waterdale Central Car Park in front of the Waterdale Shopping Centre and Central Library.  This is being gradually phased out during the redevelopment of the area. 

The 856 space southern multi-storey car park is being renovated and refurbished to modern car parking standards.  This car park has plenty of spare capacity and will remain open throughout the improvement works.

A temporary surface car park is planned behind the girls’ school in the first phase. The intention is to replace this with a multi-storey car park in the later phases.

Car users can also use the other town centre car parks. Alternatively, commuters can take advantage of improving public transport or the park and ride schemes.