Former sustainability museum put to good use to offer shelter for homeless residents

The Earth Centre in Doncaster has been turned into temporary accommodation for local residents hit by recent floods in the area.

A spokesperson for Doncaster Borough Council confirmed the building, the former environmental museum which was closed in 2004, was being used as a rest centre for people made homeless by the floods, which hit the area last week.

“The centres are providing them with food water and bedding,” the spokesperson said.

The scheme’s original architect Bill Dunster was delighted at the news. “That great, superb,” he said. “The site is ideal for that use as it’s up on a hill.”

Dunster added that he still hoped the local council would still find a new use for the centre, which was hit by poor visitor numbers, “We would like to see it made into a training school for renewable energy design and installation.”