Revamped Peterborough United training ground set to include air dome covered 3G pitch

The club is seeking to revamp its training academy at Nene Park Academy in Oundle Road after receiving approval for Category 2 status - the second highest available for academies.

Posh have introduced a number of home-grown players into the side this season and have the aim of at least three players graduating from the club’s academy to the first-team squad by 2024.

Under the plans submitted to Peterborough City Council, the new covered pitch and additional changing, educational and administration facilities would be introduced, with the current lakeside building demolished to extend the existing car park facilities.

The application was intended to be submitted at the end of March 2020 but was delayed due to the financial uncertainty created by the coronavirus pandemic which saw League One fixtures cancelled and final standings decided on a points-per-game basis - a decision which saw Posh narrowly miss out on a play-off place.

The new covered pitch is a requirement for the club to be a Category 2 academy.

Posh said: “The proposals will give rise to a considerable benefit to the wider community through the provision of a covered all weather pitch which, combined with the existing outside pitch, will extend the playing time of the facilities in all weather.”

The training ground has been based at Nene Park Academy (formerly Orton Longueville School) for the past 15 years and is home to players from the first team down to youth teams at all levels.

It is also used by the school and general public, and it is intended that this provision will be extended if planning permission is granted.

According to Posh’s planning application, the dome over the new artificial pitch would be up to 11m high.

Supporting accommodation would include:

• Four team changing rooms

• Coaches and referee changing rooms

• Two classrooms

• A team meeting room

• An analysis suite

• A guest lounge for parents and guardians of players

• Office support space.

It is proposed that the new facilities would be available for Nene Park Academy pupils between 9am and 3pm during term time, with access also available for other schools, youth groups and community organisations.

It is also envisaged that the site will be used for walking football for adults, to support people suffering from mental health issues, to increase the number of women playing the sport, for disability groups and for adult health programmes such as MAN V FAT.

A second application for a futsal pitch on the remaining part of the site has been put on hold and may be applied for in the future, the club said.