Public given chance to see plans for Earth Centre site

The site in Conisbrough, which opened as a Millennium attraction in 1999 but closed five years later, was recently sold by Doncaster Council to the Kingswood organisation, which runs educational outdoor activity breaks for children.

Around 200 jobs are expected to be created through Kingswood’s plans, which will see the derelict site transformed into an activity centre with accommodation for 400 pupils and teachers, a high ropes course, classrooms, performing arts space and a sports hall.

A spokesman for Kingswood said: “The proposed plans will be on display at the Ivanhoe Centre in Gardens Lane, Conisbrough, on Friday, April 8, between 11am and 7pm and on Saturday, April 9, between 10am and 3pm.

“A planning application will be submitted to the council in the near future which would see the existing buildings on the site refurbished and brought back into use, as well as new development to provide additional classrooms, sleeping areas, kitchens and dining facilities and external play and sports equipment.

“The centre is intended for use by groups from schools and colleges.”

Since the Earth Centre closed in 2004, Doncaster Council has been spending £200,000 a year to maintain the overgrown and derelict site.

The selling price of the land has not been revealed, with the authority claiming it is “commercially sensitive” information.