Playing fields to be fenced in to protect pupils

City councillors have been recommended to agree to fence in school playing fields that have been used by the local community for more than 40 years.

Ken Stimpson Academy in Peterborough has stopped using Werrington Fields because of safeguarding concerns for their students.

However, local residents expressed concern about the loss of open space.

The final decision will be made at a special council meeting on 13 March.

Papers that have been produced ahead of the meeting say the council should agree to lease most of the land to The Four Cs Academy Trust, which runs the school, under a new 125-year deal.

It also says Peterborough City Council should contribute to the cost of a fence to enclose the field.

The papers also say the trust has indicated in discussion with officers that they may be amenable to a potential compromise whereby they would accept a lease of part of the land.

This would include a 10 to 15-metre strip around the west, south and east side of the field to allow access to amenities on the other side of the field.

The recommendations also state a community use agreement should be created to "enable continued community use of the playing fields outside of school hours".

Werrington Fields has been used as a shared community space for decades and residents have campaigned for some time against plans to fence off a large portion, known as 'Area C', for educational use.

The land stopped being used as school playing fields in 2021 due to documented safeguarding concerns as the public continues to use the land during and outside of school hours.

Councillors were expected to agree to lease all of the land to the school at a full council meeting on 22 January, but the decision was deferred after a letter was received from the Department for Education (DfE).

The letter stated that it was usual practice for all land designated as educational use to be made available to the school, but it is "ultimately for the council to agree with the academy trust" how much of the land is leased.

It added: "It is also the responsibility of the academy trust to safeguard its pupils and put in place measures to ensure children using the playing fields are safe."

The report states: "Residents believe that fencing off such a large area will destroy the character of Werrington, create an eyesore, and limit access to green space."

It adds that Werrington Fields are described as the "most treasured asset of the community".

Councillor Katy Cole, cabinet member for children's services, previously said: "We will not give up hope of finding a solution that pleases as many people as possible."

Peterborough MP Andrew Pakes said: "The position is clear: the council has the power to decide a compromise on Werrington Fields.

"This means protecting space for students to play sports safely and keeping some unfenced parts of the fields. This sorry mess has gone on for too long."

The extraordinary full council meeting is open to the public and will take place at Sand Martin House in Fletton Quays on 13 March from 19:00.

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