Playing fields row could be resolved with new vote
BBCA council is set make a final decision on controversial plans to fence off playing fields used by residents to protect school pupils.
Peterborough City Council will vote on Wednesday evening on proposals to lease Werrington Fields to Ken Stimpson Academy.
The secondary school has wanted some of the area to be fenced off to safeguard students since 2019, but campaigners have called for the land to be shared.
Peterborough City Council (PCC) has proposed contributing to the costs of a new fence and coming up with an agreement for people to use the fields outside of school hours.
The council has made several attempts over the years to resolve the issue.
In 2020, it tried to fence off part of the fields but later admitted it was wrong to do so, saying it was a "breach of the statutory trust on which the land is held for the benefit of the public".
A Freedom of Information request from 2024 showed PCC had spent £106,398.55 on the saga.
It included spending on fencing, surveys, legal advice, planning applications and an unsuccessful bid in 2023 to the government to change the use of part of the fields to public land.
Decision called in
In July, the council decided to go ahead with building the fence, as it said it was designated educational land.
That decision has gone through a process known as "calling in", leading to the issue being debated by full council.
Damien Whales, head teacher of Ken Stimpson Academy, previously said there was a need to safeguard pupils after a number of antisocial incidents.
Some residents have opposed plans to restrict use of the fields, which have been open to the public for about 40 years.
Campaigner Nyree Ambarchian said the land gave her a chance to enjoy nature and was as much for public use as for the school's.
'Realistic and lawful'
Council officers have recommended granting the main school site and fields to Ken Stimpson on a 125-year lease.
They have also proposed that the authority contributes to the cost of putting up a fence, and that a community use agreement is put in place so residents can use the land outside school hours.
The council said leasing all of the land would be the only "realistic and lawful option" available to the council, because of its designation for school use.
The meeting begins at 18:00 GMT in the council's Fletton Quays offices.
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