Members of Doncaster Council's ruling cabinet will discuss an appeal to approve extra funds for design costs for the proposed Civic and Cultural Quarter while they await a decision on an external funding grant. The report warns councillors to back the plan to continue to fund preparatory works for the flagship project or risk lengthy delays and cause the project to "lose momentum".

Cabinet members are also told their refusal would "send out worrying messages" to developers. Instead of waiting for the money to come from Yorkshire Forward and the Central Projects Review Group in February members are urged to act now.

Councillors agreed to mayor Martin Winter's plan to borrow £39.6 million to fund the overhaul of the Waterdale area in February this year. The final agreement with preferred bidder Muse Developments has not yet been signed but the cost of the preparatory work is currently running at over £2 million.

The council is already committed to phase one of the scheme.

This involves building the new council offices, public square and a new performance venue.

However, if the project is halted after the initial phase plans for a new library, swimming pool and multi-storey car park would be shelved.