The Nene Park Trust has formally submitted revised plans to Peterborough City Council for an indoor activity centre at Ferry Meadows, the charity has confirmed.
Scaled-back design aims to balance ambition and cost
Permission was first granted in 2021 for a larger development on the former Lakeside car park in Ferry Meadows. That scheme included an Olympic-standard climbing facility and a substantial all-weather indoor activity space. Earlier this year the trust said it had to reduce the scope after construction costs increased, and the new submission reflects a smaller, less expensive building.
Matthew Bradbury, chief executive of Nene Park Trust, said the revised proposals would still provide year-round indoor recreation for both residents and visitors to Peterborough.
“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,”
Bradbury added that the trust’s objective is to maximise public recreation through the park and its facilities and that the centre would help deliver indoor activities in all weathers.
Local response and design partners
The trust held a public information event in April; organisers said responses were mixed but “largely positive”. Following the consultation, changes were made to internal layouts. Architects Butcher Bayley Architects (BBA) have worked with the trust on the revised proposals.
Luke Butcher, co-founder and director of BBA, said: “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...”
Details in the public statements indicate the focus remains on climbing, particularly bouldering, and other indoor recreation that can be used throughout the year.
What the submission means locally
- Future of site: The former Lakeside car park would be redeveloped rather than left for parking.
- Community benefit: Proponents argue the centre would increase access to sport and indoor activities regardless of weather.
- Constraints: The project has been redesigned in response to rising construction costs and funding realities.
The trust frames the scheme as a charitable endeavour to broaden recreational offer across Nene Park for Peterborough residents and visitors. The emphasis on climbing reflects the sport’s growing profile since its inclusion in recent Olympic Games and signals an attempt to appeal to a wide range of ages and abilities.
| Aspect | Original plan (2021) | Revised plan (2026 submission) |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Former Lakeside car park | Former Lakeside car park |
| Main features | Olympic-standard climbing facility; large all-weather indoor centre | Smaller indoor activity centre with climbing (bouldering) focus |
| Driver for change | — | Rising construction and funding costs |
The next stage is for Peterborough City Council to validate and determine the planning application. Interested residents can view consultation materials and the formal submission through the council’s planning portal once the application is live.
This proposal arrives as Ferry Meadows retains Green Flag status, highlighting the park’s importance for local leisure. Supporters say the centre will complement existing outdoor assets by providing facilities that can be used year-round; critics at the earlier event raised questions about scale, funding and impact on the park setting.
As the application progresses through the planning system, the council will consider environmental, transport and design impacts alongside representations from the public and consultees.
