Council allows trust to open field for dog walkers

Plans to redevelop Lynch Farm to include an enclosed dog walking field were resubmitted in January

A charitable trust has been given approval by a city council to make alterations to a site to include a new field for dog walkers.

The Nene Park Trust hoped to redevelop Lynch Farm, a Grade II listed farmhouse and outbuildings on the edge of Ferry Meadows, Peterborough, to create an enclosed field for dogs to exercise.

The plans, which have been approved by Peterborough City Council, were resubmitted in January with alterations to allow a maximum of two dogs to use the field, to minimise the impact on people living locally.

Nene Park Trust said the site would offer a "much-needed space" for dog owners as pets cannot always be lead-free in Ferry Meadows.

The trust said it aimed to open the site by early 2026.

Camping facilities

The trust said the new plans also included creating a camping area with facilities that schools and local uniformed groups – such as Scouts and Brownies – could use.

It added the approved plans would bring the former riding school on the site back into use for the benefit of the community.

It further added that the new facilities would help generate a stream of income for the trust.

The initial planning application for the Lynch Farm development was withdrawn in April 2024 by Nene Park, after concerns were raised by city councillors and local residents about potential noise coming from the site.

Matthew Bradbury, the chief executive officer of Nene Park Trust, previously said: "This amended application is a reflection of the feedback we received first time round, for example the enclosed dog exercise field will now be for a maximum of two dogs and one car.

"We're really excited to bring the site back into regular community use and this application marks the first stage of us bringing this much-loved site back to life."