Deal reached to complete Doncaster estate in path of HS2 route

Housebuilders Strata has reached a settlement with HS2 Ltd and the Department for Transport which will see dozens of properties completed on the Shimmer estate in Mexborough, as well as other faclities originally planned the site.

They will include the children’s play area and public open space, and roads and footpaths which were left unbuilt after plans to demolish part of the estate to make way for a viaduct were announced.

Strata will complete 30 homes which will be sold to the Department for Transport. Six plots originally included in the planning permission but not yet built will not be completed, but will be removed, and the area grassed over. No completion date has been set.

Strata managing director Gemma Smith said: “Whilst this has been a complicated process, we have now formally agreed a plan for completion of the site.

“We will have a small number of our employees working in the plots that are substantially complete. At this time, we can only allow limited work to be carried out on the site so that we can ensure social distancing and safe working measures are in place for our staff and the residents of Shimmer.

“Full mobilisation on the site for completion of any significant construction work, roads, footpaths, open spaces and the play area will start later in the year.

“I appreciate that this has been a difficult and frustrating time for everyone that lives on the development, but we are now in a position where we can begin to move the site towards completion.”

Sean Gibbons, Mexborough ward councillor on Doncaster Council said: “I think HS2 have now realised that that the estate needs completing so that residents can enjoy the surroundings while they are living there.

“I’d question if we need HS2 with the money Government’s currently having to spend, but whatever happens the scheme will take years and people are living there now.”

Many of the estate’s original owner occupiers have already sold-up and left the estate.