Doncaster development site with potential for 3500 jobs brought forward

Plans for a major employment site in Doncaster that could create as many as 3,500 industrial jobs are being put forward.

Blue Anchor Leisure is promoting a 195-acre development site in Armthorpe and calling on Doncaster Council to include it in the authority’s emerging Local Plan.

According to Blue Leisure, the land offers more benefits and less constraints than other big employment sites earmarked for inclusion in the Plan.

Called West Moor Park East, it sits alongside the M18 near the Next distribution centre.

Blue Leisure said the site is already attracting interest from businesses wishing to locate there and has the potential to generate thousands of jobs for the area.

The proposal is currently marked as an ‘option’ in the Local Plan. But the developers are urging for it to be allocated in the Plan’s next stage, which would pave the way for development to progress.

An aerial view of the site (red)

According to Blue Anchor director Jonathan Moses, it could be completed “in five years”.

Mr Moses explained: “We firmly believe that this site will drive economic development in Doncaster and will create well paid jobs for local people and so should be in the Local Plan.

“Coming from Doncaster, I want to bring back manufacturing jobs and businesses to the area, building on its rich industrial heritage.”

He continued: “It is in single ownership, has definite interest from major developers already and is strategically located for key transport links.

“If this site is allocated in the Local Plan, work could start within 12 months and it could be fully completed in five years.”

Speaking further, Mr Moses said West Moor Park East will focus on “high end industrial jobs rather than limited amounts of logistic jobs”.

He added: “We hope the Council grasps the opportunity and allocates this, along with the other sites, to increase the range and choice of employment opportunities in the area, which will help Doncaster thrive in future years.”

Planning permission is in place for motorsport and leisure uses, with partial development having already created buildings, roads, hard surfaces and earth features.

The council is due to publish the draft Local Plan in March. After that, it will be subject to further consultation and then examined by a Government Planning Inspector.

Barnsdales, the chartered surveyors and property consultancy firm, is handling commercial enquiries from businesses interested in West Moor Park East.