Lakeside Activity Centre revised plans submitted
We’re pleased to share that the revised plans for Lakeside Activity Centre have now been submitted to Peterborough City Council planning department and will be available to view on the planning portal very soon.
These revised plans follow the previous planning permission granted in 2021 for an activity centre on the same location, the old Lakeside car park in Ferry Meadows. Earlier this year, we announced our intention to submit revised plans for a simpler, lower building with a smaller footprint, due to rising construction costs and a changing market. Working with Butcher Bayley Architects (BBA), these new submitted plans deliver those changes while still producing an impressive structure that delivers our intention for an exciting new indoor leisure and sporting venue to keep everyone active all year round.
We held a public information event in April about the revised plans and received feedback at the event and after, both online and via a feedback postcard. The public response, although mixed, has been largely positive to the proposed changes in height, colour, overall size of the building and there is growing excitement that a new climbing centre might become a reality in the Park.
Following the feedback, we have been able to make some changes to the internal plans. Working closely with climbing partners Lakeland Climbing Community, climbing enthusiasts will be pleased to know that indoor roped climbing will now be offered in phase 1 of the build as well as the ever-popular bouldering offer. There will also be a small café, children’s play area, small gym and accessible changing rooms.
The team behind the Lakeside Activity Centre are very pleased to see the plans finally submitted.
Luke Butcher, Co-founder and Director of Butcher Bayley Architects, said: “We’re pleased to have supported Nene Park Trust in developing the revised plans for the Lakeside Activity Centre. Responding to a changing funding and construction landscape has meant designing a simpler, more efficient building, but the ambition is undimmed: a welcoming, year-round home for climbing, activity and play, sitting comfortably in its lakeside setting. As a practice with deep Peterborough roots, we’re proud to be shaping a building that will open up new leisure opportunities for Ferry Meadows and the wider city.”
Jeremy Wilson, founder of Lakeland Climbing Community, partners on the internal design and management of the activity centre said, “We are thrilled to be working with Nene Park Trust on this Peterborough project. The location, park setting and architect-designed building are an amazing backdrop for what we hope to create at the heart of the scheme. We have been really impressed by the team and look forward to working closely with them to bring this project to fruition.”
Matthew Bradbury, Chief Executive of Nene Park Trust commented: “We’re confident that these revised plans for the activity centre at Ferry Meadows offer an exciting development for the Park and the city of Peterborough. As a charity, our objective is to provide recreation for the public through the Park and its facilities, both for Peterborough’s residents and all our visitors and through the activity centre we would be able to offer indoor recreation, in all weathers, all year round. Climbing – especially bouldering – is a growing sport across the UK – and as it now features in the Olympics it’s great that we can support aspiring climbers of all ages fulfil their dreams.”
There are still challenges for this important project for Peterborough, not least securing further funding and successfully amending the planning permission. The project has already secured significant investment, including from the UK Government’s Towns Fund programme, and through our own resources. Subject to approval of the revised plans and the remaining funding being secured, construction will begin in early 2027 with the opening date for the first phase of the centre in early 2028.
