Peterborough City Council has postponed its decision on leasing Werrington Fields after receiving a crucial letter from the Department for Education (DfE). The council had planned to lease land designated for educational use to the 4Cs Academy Trust under a 125-year agreement. The proposal also included a Community Use Agreement to permit additional uses of the playing fields outside school hours. However, the DfE's letter necessitates that all councillors review and understand its contents before making any decisions.
The controversy surrounding Werrington Fields dates back to 2019 when Ken Stimpson Academy requested a fence for safeguarding reasons. The council made several attempts to address the issue, including a failed attempt in 2020 to fence off part of the fields, which they later admitted was a mistake. A Freedom of Information request revealed the council spent over £100,000 on this ongoing saga. Furthermore, the council proposed sharing the estimated £40,000 cost of erecting the fence but faced opposition from local campaigners advocating for continued public access to the fields.
The council applied to designate approximately 40% of Area C as public land rather than school playing fields, a move rejected by the DfE. The council had agreed to enclose Area C but later reversed this decision. Mayor Marco Cereste emphasized the importance of careful consideration before reaching any conclusion, stating that "all councillors need to read and digest before they make any kind of decision."
"We therefore considered that the item should be deferred so the letter could be seen by all members before they make a decision," stated Katy Cole, Labour Party councillor and cabinet member for children's services.
The council was due to vote on leasing part of Werrington Fields to Ken Stimpson Academy during a meeting. The decision faced deferral due to the letter received from the DfE prior to the meeting, with the matter scheduled for revisitation at the next meeting on 19 February.
Local campaigners argue for maintaining public access, emphasizing the fields' historical use by the community for about 40 years. They stress that heavily reducing public access would violate the "breach of the statutory trust on which the land is held for the benefit of the public," as stated by Peterborough City Council.
"We will not give up hope of finding a solution that pleases as many people as possible," remarked Katy Cole, underscoring the council's commitment to finding a balanced resolution.
