Campaigners in a ‘forgotten’ part of Peterborough are demanding to know why about £600,000 earmarked for community facilities has sat unused in council coffers for three years.

The call comes from leaders of the campaign group, Forgotten Fields, who say that the £587,000 was paid by developers as part of a Section 106 agreement demanded by the council when it approved the construction of about 1,000 homes.

Under the Section 106 agreement the then developer had to pay £524,000 for a community centre plus a further £63,000 for play facilities in Arkwright Way.

Even though more than 600 homes have been built, work has yet to start on either of the two projects.

Manor Drive, at Roman Fields, Peterborough, and inset, Radek Juszczynski, founder of campaign group, Forgotten Fields

placeholder image — Manor Drive, at Roman Fields, Peterborough, and inset, Radek Juszczynski, founder of campaign group, Forgotten Fields

Campaign group founder Radek Juszczynski said: “Over the last 12 years no playgrounds have been built here.

"We visited Arkwright Way on May 14 this year and the land is empty.”

He said: “We've now formally asked Peterborough City Council to provide construction dates for the playground and MUGA, install two temporary goalposts, install six benches to be funded from interest on the £524,000 already held.

He added: “Roman Fields is 800 homes. 800 families paying council tax. Our children are playing in the road.

Arkwright Way in Peterborough, where a playground should have been built.

“We await the council's reply.”

A spokesperson for Peterborough City Council said: “We can confirm that we have received S106 monies for the Roman Fields development, with the Community Centre Contribution received in November 2022, and the Play Facilities Contribution in October 2023.

“The S106 funds were agreed by the council and the developer historically, based on reasonable assumptions of the time, but due to changes in circumstances including increased construction costs, which could not have been reasonably predicted, this has meant that the funds secured are no longer sufficient on their own to fully fund the proposed facilities at Roman Fields.

“Once the payment was made and a reasonable assessment internally was completed, it was clear that further funds are required for the play facilities, and that the community facilities monies need to be used in an alternative way.

"The council has been proactively seeking to work with other parties including the developer to come up with a variety of solutions to address the needs of local residents.

“This is a complex situation which is why our officers have offered to meet with affected residents and remain in contact with them.

"As a planning authority, we always look to learn lessons from such situations to ensure that we continue to provide an efficient and effective service for residents.”

Forgotten Fields was set up by home owners in Roman Fields, near Newborough Road on the north east edge of the city, in a bid to battle to be noticed.

Campaigners say that despite the large number of homes and the 2,000 plus residents, the area only has one playground, two bus stops, and one mailbox and has effectively been ‘forgotten’ by politicians.