Educational services provider Kingswood has received the green light to proceed with plans for the creation of a new activity centre established at Doncaster's former Earth Centre.

Doncaster Council approved planning permission for the multi-million pound project, which will help pave the way for the sale of the site to Kingswood to be completed next month. In transforming the former Earth Centre attraction in Conisbrough, it is anticipated that 200 new jobs will be created - including apprenticeship schemes for local colleges.

Doncaster mayor Peter Davies said: "A real strength of the plans is that they represent a natural continuation of the site's heritage as a centre for learning focused on environmental sustainability." Chris McGuinness, chair of the council's planning committee, added: "Kingswood's plans will bring this major site back into an educational use which will benefit the people of Doncaster."

Image: Trevor Willis/geograph.co.uk