Basketball court could be moved into Bretton Park

Plans to expand Heltwate School in Bretton into the nearby former Jubilee Park will see the loss of a community basketball court, much to the disappointment of local residents.

However, Peterborough City Council - which is pushing the expansion of the special school - has pledged to re-locating the court with Bretton Park earmarked as the most likely destination.

The council’s planning department said that the authority has “committed to securing an alternative basketball court elsewhere within the immediate locality, likely within Bretton Park” which is only 350 metres away.

Fears over the loss of the public court had led to several objections to the planning application.

The application, which has been recommended for approval by the council’s planning department, will be considered by members on the authority’s planning committee on Tuesday next week.

Under the plans, a new two-storey building for early years pupils at the school would be built on an area of designated public open space, with a new footpath and parking area proposed.

The council is pushing for the expansion due to severe pressure on the current school in Heltwate.