£75 million secured for new homes, open spaces and projects in South Yorkshire

More than £33 million will be used to create green open spaces, improve town centres and develop the region’s digital offer, attracting inward investment. It is hoped that more than 5,500 jobs including 600 construction jobs will be created.

The funding will be used to create three new open spaces in Sheffield City Centre that will improve air quality, and reduce flooding along with developing new walking and cycling routes in Doncaster town centre.

The money will also be used for a new digital campus in Barnsley supporting the growth of start-up companies and new open spaces in Rotherham town centre near the new Forge Island development.

£40 million will be used to build 3,500 new homes on brownfield land over the next five years.

Sheffield City Region mayor Dan Jarvis, said: “This is a huge boost for South Yorkshire, providing investment that will create jobs, build new homes and improve our town centres – making a real difference to people’s lives across the region.

“The schemes will improve walking and cycling routes, enable more active travel, improve air quality and support our fight against climate change. Building 3,500 affordable and high-quality homes will create jobs and economic growth for the region.

“Securing this investment shows the power of devolution and how our partnership with local authority leaders can unlock new funding and opportunities for South Yorkshire. It demonstrates how having powers and resources at our disposal can help us transform our region, making South Yorkshire stronger, greener and fairer.

“I would urge the Government to go much further – building on the landmark devolution deal put before Parliament this week – by devolving more money and powers so we can build back better from the coronavirus.”

Coun Bill Mordue, cabinet member for economic cevelopment, said: “This new investment is more welcome news.

"The funding will support our ambitious plans for Doncaster town centre which is being transformed at pace. It will see the continued delivery of our Quality Streets programme and complement our other urban centre schemes.

"It will help us deliver additional quality public spaces which support business, job creation and new residential development and will see further improvements made to our active travel links to encourage more people to cycle and walk.

"The investment will help see more new homes built across our borough and deliver a better Doncaster for all of our communities and residents.”

Coun Sir Steve Houghton leader of Barnsley Council, said: “This is a welcome investment and one that allows us to drive forward projects which will benefit our communities across the borough.

“The investment into the Barnsley College site will create an innovative space where college students, schools, businesses and start-ups can access maker space and innovation labs. It’s great that this funding will help to develop the digital skills of Barnsley’s young people while supporting the growth of indigenous digital companies and attracting inward investment.”

Rotherham Council’s leader, Coun Chris Read, said: “This is welcome additional cash from the government that will allow us to bring forward more quickly three projects we have wanted to see in the borough for some time – improving the town centre, supporting new businesses in the Wath area, and tackling traffic congestion through Greasbrough.

"I want to thank Mayor Dan Jarvis for advocating our case and securing this investment as we move into this critical next period of economic downturn and uncertainty.”

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