The Green Corridor Programme is a partnership between Wakefield, Barnsley and Doncaster Councils set up in 2003 to improve housing provision in former coalfield communities. The Green Corridor Strategic Framework and Spatial Plan produced in 2005 identifies the key economic, social and environmental issues that need to be addressed to enable the Green Corridor towns and villages to have a sustainable future.

The overall aim of the project is to transform the areas of low demand and poor quality housing, neighbourhood decline and poor environment in the rural coalfield areas of north east Barnsley, north west Doncaster and south east Wakefield (including Fitzwilliam, Kinsley, Ryhill, Havercroft, Hemsworth, South Kirkby, South Elmsall and Upton). 

Housing renewal has already been undertaken in several areas along with measures to bring in new jobs, training and leisure opportunities, improved education and better health facilities. The following are goals which have been set for the development of the Green Corridor area:-

• To develop the Green Corridor so it becomes a sought after place to live and work, yet more affordable than Leeds, York and Harrogate.
  
  
• The Green Corridor will be a transformational programme. The housing and infrastructure will be revitalised to provide more choice and will become self sustaining towns for local residents and newcomers.
  
  

• The Green Corridor area will provide housing, employment, leisure and lifestyle choices which will help to re-connect the area to the economic mainstream of the region.

Site updated 5 July 2010