Work to transform 'wilderness' site of former Doncaster 'Beirut' estate is 'imminent'

Wates Residential has confirmed it will start work to build on the former Thompson Avenue and Dixon Road sites 'imminently', transforming a site which had been left derelict since the former estate was demolished in February 2001.

It had been compared by residents to the formerly war-torn city of Beirut at the time of its demolition.

The company said today work is scheduled to start on site imminently, and follows close collaboration between Wates, the council and St Leger Homes, the company which manages and operates Doncaster Council’s social housing stock, to secure a future for the long-vacant development site.

The new homes will border a recently completed extra care development.

Richard Shroll, Managing Director, Wates Residential North, said: “These new homes will continue the excellent work the council is undertaking across the borough, creating a mixture of housing that will provide a much needed boost for people in Doncaster that are looking to secure a home. Our team is set to start on site in the coming weeks, and we look forward to working closely with the surrounding communities during the project, ensuring that local people benefit from a host of training and employment opportunities throughout the build programme.”

Read More: Major Doncaster housing projects could start by MarchPaul Tanney, Chief Executive of St Leger Homes of Doncaster, said: “We are pleased that we will be managing the twenty affordable homes being created by Wates in this development in Edlington. These properties will make a big difference helping local people into homes which meet their needs.”

Little has been built on the Thompson and Dixon sites since they were demolished.

They were pulled down after becoming plagued by anti-social behaviour.

Last year, former mayor of Edlington Georgina Mullis described the site is 'like a wilderness' with all the rubbish that has been building up there over the years.