Forgotten Fields campaigners upbeat after Peterborough council leader helps them look to future

The Forgotten Fields group says its area of 2,000 people has been without facilities except one playground, one post box and two bus stops for the last decade in a situation that has gone unnoticed by council chiefs.

Now the group, which represents the area around Manor Drive, is upbeat about the future after finally securing a meeting with Peterborough City Council chiefs just five days ago.

Radek Juszczynski, campaign group founder, said: “It is great news after our meeting with the council.”

He said that it was now hoped that a community pavilion could be built on Arkwright Road in the near future.

He said: “This would mean our own building, our own park, with full control for residents.

"It would be a multi-use game area, skate park, outdoor gym, a neighbourhood equipped area for play and all fenced and properly done."

However, Mr Juszczynski said that further community discussion would have to take place before the project could move further.

Now a community meeting is to be held on August 27 from 5pm to 6.30pm to discuss the proposals.

It is hoped funding for the project can come from £594,955.80 of Section 106 money provided by the homes developer under the terms of the planning permission given to develop the area.

Mr Juszczynski said: “It was thought the expiry date to use this money was next year but it seems it is 2032.

He added: “We will continue to push the council to start the work as soon as possible.”

Councillor Shabina Qayyum, the leader of the council, said: “We met with the residents of Forgotten Fields with officers and local councillors.

"It was quite clear that developers and complexities around how this has been allowed to carry on for so long has caused a great deal of frustration and that is completely understandable.

She said: “The meeting gave residents a clear timeline on what could be achieved.

"A few options were discussed and what remains now is for a consensus to be gained about what the residents will choose out of the options proposed for development.

"A follow up meeting has been arranged with a larger group of residents in a month where the chosen option on amenities will be selected and delivery will be at pace.

Cllr Qayyum added: "I pledged to the residents at Full Council that I would help them over come this issue and I'm pleased to say that they were satisfied with the outcome on clear decisions that came out of the meeting.

"People just want to know where they stand and that is perfectly reasonable.”