Plans for new woodland adventure play scheme in Peterborough submitted

The family attraction would be situated on agricultural land in Southorpe, close to the village of Barnack, if planning approval is granted by the city council.

The £1.58 million project would create the equivalent of 13 full time jobs and offer families indoor and outdoor play areas, a nature walk and maize maze.

The plans have been submitted by the Walcot Estate, owned by the Dennis family, which said: “The proposed adventure play scheme sets out to fulfil a much needed role of providing an opportunity for families with children under 12 to visit and engage with a challenging, fun and stimulating rural environment that will encourage imagination and social cohesion.

“Public mental and physical health are at a critical point and providing a safe place for families to re-connect is something the Dennis family are keen to be able to do.

“The proposed development would deliver clear economic, social and environmental benefits, whilst no detrimental significant impacts of the proposed development have been identified.”

Positives listed in the application include expenditure of around £200,000 a year in local companies to help with the running of the site, as well as a boost to local tourism and health and wellbeing benefits for visitors attracted to the countryside location.

Access to the site, which is near the Southorpe Paddock nature reserve, would be from Sutton Heath Road, off the A47.

The plans include a car park for 150 vehicles

If planning approval is granted the site would host a visitor barn with a small retail area and informal indoor play opportunity using natural materials.

The main barn would have an adjoining safari tent structure for visitors to enjoy food and drink indoors, with a view of the nearby junior outdoor play area and sand and water play area.

Within the woodland there would be an adventure play area which would include: rope bridges, walkways, den building, tunnels and slides “to create exciting and enriching play for varying ability and age level”.

Other attractions would include a maize maze and nature walk.

The design of the play scheme has been carried out by Timberplay whose clients include the Forestry Commission, National Trust and Center Parcs.

The Walcot Estate is a 1,400 acre farming estate focussed around the Grade I listed Walcot Hall.