Plans for the creation of Doncaster's Civic and Cultural Quarter (CCQ) are one step closer to becoming reality with the announcement that the project's outline planning application, subject to rubber-stamping by the Government Office, was granted by the Planning Authority.

Doncaster Council's Cabinet Member for Business and Regeneration, Councillor Jonathan Wood, said: "The scheme is progressing well and outline planning is a significant milestone to have passed. Demolition work at the site is well underway, and we are looking forward to seeing the project come to life, transforming a declining part of the town centre into a regional business and cultural hotspot.

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"There's still one final push needed before the vision can become a reality and that's securing grant funding support from Yorkshire Forward. We are hopeful this will be determined in the next few weeks."

This decision that approves the key principles of the scheme is subject to a Section 106 legal agreement being signed. This agreement will ensure the scheme includes an element of affordable housing and caters for the transport needs of the town. The application will now be referred to the Government Office for their consideration.

In the coming months, a series of full planning applications that set out detailed designs of the buildings included in the first phase will be submitted to the planners.

Construction of the first phase is expected to begin next year and should be open for business in 2012.

(CD/KMcA)