Local Information

PeterboroughFor detailed information on what Peterborough has to offer, what is changing and planned to change visit http://www.positivelypeterborough.org/default2.asp

Please read on for details on the exciting City Centre Masterplan.............
Communications

London Kings Cross is 50 minutes by Intercity rail from Peterborough.

Leeds is 90 minutes by Intercity rail from Peterborough.

Business airport 10 miles south of the City.

Luton and Stanstead international airports are both 90 minutes by road.

An 8 lane motorway links the City with the A14/M6 east/west trunk road.

The City has an excellent road network and good public transport.

Points of Interest
Cathedral, Flag Fen, University, Greyhound Racing, Ice Hockey, Speedway, Burghley Horse Trials, East of England Show Ground, Professional Football, Multiscreen Cinema, Steam Railway, River Nene, Elton Hall, Barnwell Castle, US Cart Racing at Rockingham Raceway.

Plans for growth

Exciting plans for the future growth of Peterborough have recently been announced by the government and the city council.

As part of the government's Sustainable Communities Plan, Peterborough will see an increase in its population as a result of the building of a large number of new homes, together with the infrastructure, social facilities and employment opportunities to support them.

At the same time, the heart of the city is set for a period of major development and redevelopment under the council's City Centre Masterplan.

The Greater Peterborough Partnership will publish its second community strategy in the summer outlining development plans for the city and rural areas.

Sustainable community development

Better and more affordable housing as well as the infrastructure to sustain communities are part of government plans for further major expansion of the city.

Early in 2004 Deputy Prime Minster John Prescott announced the expansion of the London-Stansted-Peterborough corridor as one of four key growth areas in the government's Sustainable Communities Plan.

Mr Prescott said: "It makes good sense to include Peterborough and the whole of Cambridgeshire in the growth area. Peterborough has a history as a very successful growth point and it should have an important role in the growth area proposals as they develop.

"We are committed to delivering better and more affordable housing, and the infrastructure to sustain communities, and this announcement is working towards that aim for people living and working in Peterborough."

The Sustainable Communities Plan is designed to tackle housing shortages in the southern half of England with substantial, sustainable, new development. The inclusion of Peterborough in the growth corridor will provide a number of exciting opportunities for future development by unlocking new government funding and securing enhanced facilities for the city's existing communities.

A major expansion of the city's housing stock and associated community facilities as well as investment by commerce and industry to provide new employment are expected to follow as a result of the city's growth status in the Sustainable Communities Plan.

Almost £20 million of government funding was set aside for schemes at the two ends of the London-Stansted-Peterborough corridor during 2003-2004. Further funds are to be made available as part of expenditure totalling £22 billion over three years.

Peterborough Masterplan

A multi-million pound scheme to regenerate and rejuvenate Peterborough city centre has been outlined in the City Centre Framework.

Peterborough City Council is leading the partnership initiative with the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) and English Partnerships to ensure that the city centre develops for the future in line with Peterborough's planned growth.

A number of key sites in the city centre have been earmarked for regeneration, providing major improvements for business, leisure, shopping, education, tourism and conservation.

Peterborough City Council has approved the preliminary framework and is due to begin developing an implementation and delivery programme.

Dr John Bridge, former chairman of regional development agency One North East, has been appointed to establish an Urban Regeneration Company (URC). Core costs of the URC will be met by the public sector partners in the project but the organisation will be led by the private sector and will be reponsible for ensuring delivery of the projects in the framework.

The framework itself outlines key objectives for Peterborough, which will guide planning and development. The main objectives are:

  • Make Peterborough city centre a regionally significant place to shop, providing modern, attractive and distinctive shopping which draws visitors from a wide area.
  • Ensure the city centre becomes the first choice for business investment.
  • Develop Peterborough city centre as a major destination in the East of England for cultural, leisure and sporting attractions.
  • Make the city centre a place to live with a variety of high quality new homes.
  • Investing in education and training to underpin the economic success of the city.

To achieve these objectives, key sites in the city centre have been identified for redevelopment. Details of the proposals are listed below.

Queensgate and North Westgate:

The site north of the Queensgate centre has been identified as a prime location for contemporary retail and leisure which will provide a primary retail focus, providing high quality pedestrian routes and connections to the railway station. Morley Fund Management and Hammerson Plc have been appointed as the city council's preferred development partners for this area and are currently developing detailed plans.

Heart of the city and Bridge Street:

The heart of the city will become a focus for visitors and residents, providing a high quality public realm with amenities, activities and speciality shops, bars and cafes. Bridge Street's role as a fine tree-lined route linking the heart of the city and the riverside is a central feature of the new plan. New uses for the Town Hall are proposed including a retail, hotel, leisure or office facility.

Station Quarter:

The railway station site has been earmarked for a new transport interchange. The development will be an integrated mixed-use quarter which will combine new station buildings, car parking, a flagship office development, residential housing, public spaces and pedestrian links.

Southbank:

The area situated south of the city centre will be home to a predominately residential-led mixed-use quarter, containing high quality riverside and urban housing. Flagship offices, business suites, a high quality conference hotel and a stadium could also be integrated into the mixed-use site.

PeterboroughRivergate:

The site will be split into two areas, the east and west, with the former containing a new theatre, gallery, homes, workspaces and leisure and cultural attractions. The latter will feature enhanced retail development that will make a much fuller contribution to the city centre than at present.

Other projects include:

  • A mixed-use development in Old Town/Priestgate that will provide small offices, homes and restaurant.
  • A civic suite for Northminster which will integrate new homes, offices and perhaps retail development.
  • A sports village for the West Embankment including a new leisure pool, revamped sports centre, hotel and higher education facilities.
  • The development of a marina on the East Embankment combined with new homes, commercial properties and parkland.
  • A high quality urban community on the site of Peterborough District Hospital, which will be released in 2007. It will also contain shopping facilities and small-scale workspaces.

Useful Links

www.westone Housing Services
For new kitchens, bathrooms, property makeovers and general maintenance click on the link.
http://www.westonehousing.co.uk

www.houses2order.co.uk
Specialists in the resale of investment properties.
http://www.houses2order.co.uk

www.positivelypeterborough.org/Lifestyle_masterplan.as
Local information about Peterborough and how £1B is being spent:
http://www.positivelypeterborough.org/Lifestyle...

Belvoir Peterborough Office Movie

http://www.belvoirlettingspeterborough.co.uk/ne...