Peterborough University masterplan ‘includes new stadium’

The document from the city council outlines the grand vision for land in and around the Embankment where the technical university is scheduled to open in late 2022.

The most eye-catching announcement is the proposal for a new arena which is likely to be in the shape of a new stadium for Peterborough United.

The club recently revealed its plans to deliver a new 17,500 capacity stadium which will have the capabilities to host major events and conferences.

Posh hope to have moved over from London Road in time for the 2022/23 season.

The masterplan for the 13.5 acre site also includes plans to convert the Regional Fitness & Swimming Centre in Bishop’s Road into a student union complex with accommodation, restaurants, nightclubs and bars, on top of further evening entertainment by the river.

Leader of Peterborough City Council Cllr John Holdich said he still hopes to see the regional pool redeveloped and kept where it is as part of a sports village at the site, while the masterplan also proposed facilities including a leisure centre, football pitches and keeping the existing athletics track.

Cllr Holdich said: “Once there is a planning application for the new stadium, residents will be contacted for their views.

“The stadium needs to be near the station and town centre. I’m confident it would attract people to Peterborough.

“No modern football club can survive on just playing football, it will need other uses.

“It’s not on the development plan for Peterborough and it will need to be tested by the public.

“If the new stadium doesn’t go there we will have to look at other options for the arena, such as North Westgate or the Station Quarter.

“I’m very excited by the plan. We have tried to make Peterborough open for business. We can’t sit still, we have to go out and we have a good track record of it.”

The masterplan shows the space designated for the new arena/stadium would be separate to where existing events such as the beer festival are held, meaning they will continue into the future.

Discussing the future leisure offer in the area, Cllr Holdich added: “My personal view is I would like to see the pool remain where it is with the running track so we can build a sports village around the campus.

“It can be used by the public and be modern and updated.

“It’s one or the other (whether the pool is revamped or moved to North Westgate). It’s over 40 years old and costs a fortune to maintain it. It’s past its sell by date and we need to do something with it.

“These are the ideas being consulted on.”

University plan ‘still on track’

A planning application for the University of Peterborough campus has been delayed, but the project remains on time, according to the leader of the city council. Plans were due to have been submitted already, but this is unlikely to happen now until June following feedback from the potential education providers who want to see alterations made. Cllr John Holdich, who is also deputy mayor of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, which is leading on the project, said there was a wish to see an expanded education provision, such as larger spaces for teaching. However, he insisted that works should begin on site in the autumn, with the technical university opening in late 2022, initially for 2,000 students.

He also revealed that progress is being made on finding a new academic partner after the combined authority decided to part company with University Centre Peterborough, which initially had been earmarked to run the education side of the new technical university.

A tendering process is currently ongoing with 10 universities – including one from abroad – having expressed interest in replacing UCP which has decided not to take part in the process.

A decision is expected to be made in early May, said Cllr Holdich.

Meanwhile, the council is set to transfer 13.5 acres of land earmarked for the fully-fledged university to a new joint venture alongside the combined authority. The land, which has been valued at more than £400,000 per acre, will then be leased to the new academic provider.

“We hope in the long term it will be a good investment, both in money and for young people in Peterborough,” said Cllr Holdich.