Plans for Olympic-standard Climbing Wall on Peterborough parkland set to edge forward

An image of the proposed Climbing Walls planned for Nene Park.

The 34.25 metres high Climbing Wall, which would be part of a Lakeside Activity Centre at Ferry Meadows is expected to be considered by city planners in about five weeks’ time.

The £8 million proposals were first submitted to Peterborough City Council in March 2019 and since then have undergone changes in the face of numerous objections.

The council has just launched another round of consultation with the public after receiving more details of about the possible impact of the development on the area.

That consultation is scheduled to end on February 8 with the plans expected to go before councillors at the end of February or the beginning of March.

A council spokeswoman said: “We have received some revised/additional information recently and have undertaken a further round of consultation on this application.

“This has included a notice in the Peterborough Telegraph, the erection of site notices and writing to neighbours adjoining the site and contributors.

“This additional information comprises of a Bat Activity Survey, Heritage Impact Assessment, Leisure Impact Assessment, External Lighting Report and Plan, Ecology Report, Statement on Security and revised Sequential Test.

“The end of the consultation period is February 8 and it is anticipated that the application will go to planning committee at the end of February/March for determination.”

It is also proposed that the centre should feature one of the country’s largest Clip ‘n Climb arenas, which would be suitable for all the family, a natural-themed indoor toddler play area and an additional café and private hire spaces.

It is proposed to build the activity centre on the Lakeside car park with improved traffic flow and car parking created between there and the edge of the current overflow car park.

The centre will be near the Nene Outdoors watersports and activity centre and would complement its sailing, paddlesports, archery and cycle hire facilities.

The proposed development is a key part of the Nene Park’s 10 year strategy to enhance the leisure, recreation, cultural and environmental offers for the city all year round.

Matthew Bradbury, chief executive of Nene Park Trust, said: “The final round of consultation comes after the Trust worked closely with Peterborough City Council’s planning team to complete additional expert contributions on a number of items including heritage and ecology, including further information on bat activity and proposed lighting.

“The study on bats confirmed the plans would not adversely impact the various species found in the park whilst increasing the understanding of bats across the park.

“The work has also identified ways that existing lighting at Lakeside can be more “bat-friendly”, which the Trust now intends to complete as part of this project.

Mr Bradbury added: “We have a clear vision to improve the leisure and recreation, culture and environmental offer for people across the city year-round.

“The new Lakeside Activity Centre is a key part of these leisure plans and will provide an all-weather facility for people of all ages.

“We are excited to take this forward to the final stage and hope the plans will be considered by the planning committee early this year.

“These are, however, just one piece of our masterplan jigsaw.

“Alongside Lakeside Activity Centre, Nene Park Trust has also invested substantially in improving our environmental and cultural offer throughout Ferry Meadows, Orton Mere, Thorpe Meadows and the Rural Estate.

“This has recently included large-scale wetland meadow improvements, a new 750 metre boardwalk in Bluebell woods, an expanded volunteer programme, our new electric passenger boat and broader watersports offer, hosting of the Sculpture Collection and Peterborough Presents and our new Share Farming initiative amongst a range of other and ongoing projects.

He said: “These combined improvements are helping more people in the city get outside and be active in a variety of different ways.”

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Protesters lodge more than 100 objections to Olympic-standard Climbing Wall plans at Peterborough’s Ferry Meadows