Campaigners for Werrington Fields say a compromise could be the best decision for everyone

Campaigners in Peterborough say keeping Werrington Fields open to the community is vital for mental and physical health.

It's as a Peterborough City Council meeting this evening will decide if the land should be leased to the 4Cs Academy Trust.

It would be a devastating blow for the local community

Ken Stimpson Academy says they need all the land for educational use which needs to be fenced off to ensure safeguarding of students.

However, residents argue that the area is essential for the community and help with wellbeing.

Nyree Ambarchian, a campaigner for Werrington Fields, said:

"If the council makes the decision to hand over the full area to the academy trust and the school, it will be a devastating blow for the local community."

"It would wipe out so much publicly available open space, and we know how important green space is for exercise and mental health."

"We would really like to see a compromise."

"I think there's a decision that would allow all parties not to get everything they want but get what they need."

"I'm really hoping councillors take the opportunity to show the local community that they have got their best interests in mind and are standing up for the community and really scrutinising the decision so that they come to the right decision."

We would really like to see a compromise

Councillors are recommended to agree that all the land designated for education use, including the main school site, and the school playing fields should be leased to the Academy Trust under a new 125-year Academy lease.

Councillor Katy Cole, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said:

“We have listened to the residents and the academy trust on a number of occasions in relation to this issue, and both arguments are compelling."

"We are faced with an impossible situation where we cannot please everyone, as much as we would like to."

“It is for this reason, I suspect, that previous administrations have ‘kicked the can down the road’ for as long as they have."

“What is paramount for me is that this matter has been allowed to rumble on for much too long and it is the students of the academy who continue to be most affected."

"We must also take into account Government guidance.”

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