Climbing sports activity centre earmarked for park land in Peterborough to be built in two phases

A proposed 22 metre high tower that will enclose facilities for climbing is to form a second phase for the Lakeside Activity Centre at Ferry Meadows and will only be built if funds allow.

The details have been released by Nene Park Trust as it hosts a public information session ahead of the submission of its scaled back plans for a climbing wall and activity centre to Peterborough City Council.

The Climbing Wall was originally planned to stand 34 metres high – rivalling some of the tallest buildings in Peterborough – when the venture was first proposed in 2018.

But now the trust states: “Due to a changing world and rising building costs we are now seeking planning permission for a revised plan, which will still provide that all-weather sporting venue but will be 30 per cent smaller than previously planned.

It means the building will have ‘a shorter tower offering predominantly bouldering for all ages and levels, as well as space for a small café.’

The trust says its is proposing to ‘build the centre without the tower as phase one and when funds allow we will build the tower in phase two and add lead (rope) climbing.”

The changes to the plans that were first granted approval by the council in 2021, have been prompted by an ‘astronomically’ high increase in construction costs and a change in the climbing market with a rise in popularity of bouldering, which involves climbing on low walls or natural boulders without ropes and harnesses.

The trust states: “We are therefore adapting our plans to a smaller, less expensive building, which will still deliver indoor leisure facilities that our visitors want to see, with a focus on bouldering, which will generate necessary income for Nene Park Trust.”

It is estimated that the new centre will bring a 10 per cent increase in use of Ferry Meadows with the majority of use during the winter, in the evenings and in poor weather and that the facility will produce a turnover of about £1 million per year.

The first phase is expected to open in autumn next year and will feature 2027 and will feature a small café, showers, toilets and changing facilities and have capacity for 219 people.

The cost for customers is estimated to be about £16 per adult for a day, with discounts for children.

Independent Councillor Julie Stevenson, one of the representatives for Orton Waterville, said: "While some local residents will welcome the reduction in height, others will be disappointed that the climbing wall is no longer as tall as originally planned.

"There are also residents who continue to feel that Ferry Meadows is not the right location for this type of facility, and I recognise that there are strongly held views on all sides.

"Once the new planning application is submitted, there will be a further opportunity for residents to have their say, and I would encourage everyone with an interest to take part in the consultation."