My colleague and I were very impressed by a number of factors, not least the amount that has been achieved by Doncaster in a very short space of time. There has evidently been a strong drive and commitment from both politicians and officials in supporting the regeneration efforts.

The Keepmoat stadium is a jewel in your crown which you should rightly be proud of. The facilities are first class and to have been developed on time and on budget and to have them so well used is a testament to a job well done.

We also visited Robin Hood airport and heard how the continued expansion of business services on the site and the increased passenger numbers are benefiting the local economy and providing local employment opportunities. Again the foresight of those engaged in working with the airport owners has been instrumental in making the airport such a success in a very short space of time. Just while we were visiting, news broke of the proposed rail link to the airport which will further support tourism as well as plans for residential development on part of the former MoD site.

In Doncaster itself we had the opportunity to view the retail centre and the market. We walked the town centre and were very impressed by the new transport interchange and new college facility. Of course regeneration is an ongoing effort, so we also heard about future plans for the town, including the Civic and Cultural Quarter in the Waterdale area and the Waterfront development, already home to the college, which seeks to reconnect the town centre to its waterways.

We came away encouraged by what can be achieved in a very short space of time and would encourage you to build on what has already been achieved.

Robert Kidd
Deputy Director
Department for Social development
Belfast