Public to be fenced off from school fields

A secondary school's playing fields are due to be fenced off from the public after a heated council debate.

The green space known as Werrington Fields has been shared between the public and Ken Stimpson Academy in Peterborough for the last 45 years.

In 2019, the school said it needed the land for sports provision, and called for the area to be fenced off to safeguard pupils.

On Tuesday, Peterborough City Council's cabinet voted through plans to fence it off and lease the green space to the school, despite objections from campaigners.

Council Labour leader Shabina Qayyum said it was "a difficult decision".

"We're looking after the interests of the children," she said.

"But [we] can also, through the community use agreement, look after the interests of the residents as well."

Christian Hogg, the Liberal Democrat cabinet member for housing and regulatory services, said the decision was determined by the fact The Four Cs Academy Trust - which runs the school - was taking the matter to the High Court.

That would likely result in the council being forced to pay out a six-figure sum, he added.

Katy Cole, the Labour cabinet member for children's services, said a strip of land around the periphery would be retained for community use.

She also said residents could use the fenced-off land at specified times after school and at weekends.

But campaigner Jan Forster said: "I would like to know how the cabinet think that a narrow 10-15m (33ft-49ft) strip of land bordered on one side by a 2m (7ft) weld mesh fence, and on the other side by a hedge or bushes, qualifies as an open space for public and amenity use, and how it could possibly have a positive effect on the health and wellbeing of regular users."

Peterborough First independent councillor John Fox, who represents Werrington, has advocated keeping the fields public.

He said it was "vital" that views of Werrington residents were considered and suggested that the matter should also be voted on at a full council meeting.

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