Plans to transform former riding school

Lynch Farm is part of Nene Park Trust

A charity has announced plans to convert a former riding school into a community space.

Lynch Farm, a Grade II listed building, was home to a riding school in the grounds of Ferry Meadows Country Park in Peterborough for 50 years.

The farm is part of Nene Park Trust which has since taken stewardship of the building, which has been empty since September 2022.

The trust said it had not finalised plans but hoped to reopen the site for community activities by Spring 2024.

Maintenance of the buildings and grounds at the farm has begun in anticipation of future plans, the trust said.

It said it would trial community activities and expand its education and events programmes.

Due to the building being listed, planning permission is being sought for a formal change of use.

Andrew MacDermott, acting chief executive at Nene Park Trust, said: "Our vision for Nene Park is to provide a wide choice of recreational activities to benefit the people of Peterborough and the wider community, and we're very excited about being able to include Lynch Farm in our plans going forward.

"Lynch Farm Riding School has been such a big part of many people's lives in Peterborough over the years and their work with children and disabled people was particularly positive.  

"As a charity we are really keen the site continues to be a venue for such positive activity and is a real community asset.  "