Green light for plans to create climbing activity centre in Peterborough despite £1 million funds blow
Plans to build a £6 million climbing activity centre at Ferry Meadows have been given the green light.
Peterborough City Council planners have given the go ahead to the project to create a 22 metre high Lakeside Activity Centre that will offer bouldering activities for all ages and levels as well as roped climbing.
There will also be space for a small café, toddler play area and gym.
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The trust says it is proposing to build the centre without the tower as phase one and that if funds allow to build the tower in a second phase that will provide room for additional rope climbing activities.
The approval follows an earlier decision by the council’s ruling cabinet to cancel a decision by the Peterborough Towns Fund board to give an extra £1,073,280 of government money to the trust for the activity centre.
The decision came as a blow to the trust which has been left to work out new ways to find funds to complete the project.
But Nene Park Trust bosses say they are still determined to start begin construction work next year.
Matthew Bradbury, chief executive of Nene Park Trust, said: “We’re very pleased to have planning permission secured and will be exploring a range of different funding options over the coming months to make this long-awaited activity centre a reality.”
Following original planning permission for an activity centre at Ferry Meadows five years ago, the trust submitted revised plans earlier this year for a simpler, more cost-effective building to deliver indoor leisure and sporting venue all year round in keeping with the long-term ambition for the project.
A trust spokesperson added: “Despite the disappointing news earlier this month that the council would not be allocating additional Towns Fund money to the project, the trust is pleased the council has approved the planning application for the project and is working hard to explore alternative funding opportunities.
“Once the funding is secured, everything is in place for construction to start in 2027.”
The trust has previously received £1.45 million from the Towns Fund which has been used to create a new car park, toilet facilities and landscaping in preparation for the activity centre.