Doncaster Council fuels Waterdale demolition speculation again with new 'aspirational' image
“The details are yet to be finalised and remain subject to further discussion and development.”
The City of Doncaster Council fuelled further speculation over the future of Waterdale in the city centre, after releasing an image with a significant portion of the site demolished.
Doncaster Council has repeatedly played down speculation that the southern side of the shopping precinct will be demolished, even after its chosen developer, Capital & Centric, said the plan was ‘a start again job’ and would be ‘entirely new build’.
However, as part of its new ‘City Centre Masterplan’, the local authority has once again poured fuel onto the flames by releasing an image where the buildings in question have been demolished in favour of a new open space with plants and benches.
Dan Swaine, executive director for place at the council, insisted the masterplan was ‘aspirational’ and once again said no final decision on Waterdale had been made.
“While we are committed to regenerating the Waterdale area, the details are yet to be finalised and remain subject to further discussion and development, including with residents and businesses in advance of any detailed plans being finalised and before seeking planning permission and the necessary consents,” Mr Swaine said.
Three business owners spoke out in July 2026 and slammed the council over the total silence they had experienced over the future of their businesses.
Doncaster Council sent a letter to business owners following their complaints, informing them there would be opportunity for them to have their say as plans progress.
However, a number of these business owners reported they still have not had any concrete discussions with Doncaster Council over their plans before this new image was published in the ‘masterplan’.
Mr Swaine added: “The masterplan is an aspirational, visionary document which seeks to demonstrate what the city centre could look like over time.
“Building on the progress of the original 2016 masterplan, which helped to deliver more than 50 regeneration projects across the city centre, including refurbishments to the Wool Market, Corn Exchange and Doncaster station, the new masterplan will help guide further investment, development and decision-making over the coming years.
“The masterplan presents aspirational developments and sets the inspiration for delivering a city centre everyone can be proud of, all the potential developments will be subject to due process so should not be seen as detailed or finalised designs.”