Upgrading Manor Drive estate is a ‘complex situation’ says Peterborough city councillor

The estate – which is also sometimes referred to as Roman Fields – has made headlines recently due to calls being made by local residents, campaign groups and community leaders for improved facilities and services.

Last month, school teachers from Manor Drive Primary School made an appeal to Peterborough City Council to do more in providing outdoor recreation areas that would help keep children on the estate fit and healthy:

“If they haven’t got the facilities to do those kinds of things then how are we supposed to encourage it?” said teacher Fern Rowe.

Councillor Katy Cole, Peterborough City Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said she was “fully supportive” of communities that need improved facilities, “particularly those which will help keep children and young people active and healthy for years to come”.

Responding directly to the issues raised by the teachers, she said: “We take concerns from residents in the Roman Fields area over a lack of facilities for children and young people there extremely seriously.

“The council has been proactively seeking to work with other parties, including the developer of Roman Fields, to find solutions to address the needs of residents, including those families who have children attending Manor Drive Primary School.”

Cllr Cole highlighted the fact the estate was initially built at a time when development policies were not the same as they are now:

“The Roman Fields development was granted planning permission several years ago under policies of that time,” she said.

“These policies have since changed with regards to requirements for developers providing appropriate facilities for large scale housing developments.”

The councillor also explained that implementing strategies to tackle such issues is not as straightforward as it may seem:

“This is a complex situation which is why our officers have offered to meet with affected residents and remain in contact with them,” she said.

“Councillors have previously used their Community Leadership Fund (CLF) monies to get a play area installed near Manor Drive and we will continue to work with officers to explore further options.”

Cllr Cole sought to reassure estate residents and community leaders that the city council will do all it can to address such issues going forward:

“From the council’s perspective as a planning authority, we always look to learn lessons from such situations to ensure that we continue to provide an efficient and effective service for residents,” she said.