Doncaster park's cafe plan gets go-ahead as volunteer bosses withdraw resignations

A new cafe is set to transform a Doncaster park after finally getting the go-ahead from Doncaster Council.
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The authority’s planning committee gave the scheme – which will see the current cafe in Sandall Park demolished and replace with a state-of-the-art new building – the green light this afternoon.

And the decision has seen the volunteer bosses who help run the park withdraw their recent resignations.

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Sandra and Don Crabtree, founders of the Friends of Sandall Park volunteer group, had quit in frustration at a series of delays which had stalled the plans and they had feared that the park would once more fall into decline without DMBC support.

Don and Sandra Crabtee have returned to their roles after a new cafe was given the go-ahead.Don and Sandra Crabtee have returned to their roles after a new cafe was given the go-ahead.
Don and Sandra Crabtee have returned to their roles after a new cafe was given the go-ahead.

Said Sandra: “The campaign paid off and the café was approved.

“This is excellent news for the park and for Friends of Sandall Park.

“The group can now move forward and continue with our sterling work taking the park forward for everyone's benefit.

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“Don and I will be rescinding our resignations and continuing with our plans for the future development of the park for the benefit of everyone.

The current Sandall Park Cafe will be demolished.The current Sandall Park Cafe will be demolished.
The current Sandall Park Cafe will be demolished.

“The stalling of the café did bring things to a head, prompting our resignations, but we now feel we can move on from that and keep our happy little band of men, women and children, doing the great things we have been doing, with the support of all the park visitors and council of course.

“The discussions at our January meeting will be developed though, we won’t be doing as much as we have in the past – corporate volunteering days, which take a lot of organising, will be a thing of the past.

“The hook a duck day is still in question. If we are to do that this year, we would want to secure at least ten definite volunteers, otherwise it can’t go ahead – and that’s on top of the FoSP volunteers and Neighbourhood Team members.

“So, onward and upward!

An artist's impression of the new cafe for Sandall Park.An artist's impression of the new cafe for Sandall Park.
An artist's impression of the new cafe for Sandall Park.
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The group was set up 15 years ago in response to facilities being removed from the park and increasing anti-social behaviour in the area.

Since its founding, the group has carried out dozens of improvements to facilities.

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