The proposed development of a new £300m civic and cultural quarter in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, is set to go ahead after the local authority committed to the first stage of the project.

Doncaster Council's mayor and cabinet agreed to back the scheme, which will include the town's first civic square, additional public areas, a new performance venue and new civic offices, as well as a residential development. Plans also include retaining Doncaster's former Girls School for future redevelopment, while College Road will be opened up to Chequer Road to redirect traffic as part of plans to improve pedestrian facilities along Waterdale Road.

A new library, a swimming pool and additional leisure facilities and office accommodation could also be created in Doncaster if future stages of development are given the go-ahead. Doncaster mayor Peter Davies said: "To pull out of this legally binding contract at this stage would cost the taxpayer as much as £25m in compensation. One of my key election pledges was not to waste public money and I have decided that the most prudent decision is to endorse this scheme that levers in massive private sector funding.

"I have reservations about the viability of the cultural venue but since the contract has been signed with the developers we must now get right behind the project and endeavour to make it a success."