Green spaces are central to the vision for Alconbury Weald, with four strategic green areas coming forward at key milestones throughout the development. Alongside spaces for people, Alconbury Weald has been designed to deliver a Net Gain for Nature, with current plans for a 20% increase in biodiversity. This will be supported through the ongoing management of these green spaces.
Prestley Park, at the southeast corner of the development, stretches to the edge of Huntingdon on the A141 and will provide 65 hectares of parkland. There are a number of inherited features that will help shape the future plans for this park as well as lots of ideas gathered through consultations.
Nene Park, the Charitable Trust that runs a range of parks, nature areas and recreation facilities around Peterborough, have been working with the U&C Design team, to support the design, delivery and long-term management of Prestley Park to reflect the unique nature of the space between Alconbury Weald and the Stukeleys, acting as an important green space defining both communities.
Working with the Trust, U&C team held a series of workshops over 2024 to ensure previous consultations were up to date with resident views, and to explore different themes and issues. Workshops with the Alconbury Weald Community Association and Youth Group were key, as many of the residents involved had not been part of statutory consultations on the Park before. Sessions were also held with the Heritage Group to unpack some of the approach to the Scheduled Ancient Monument and archaeology which is revealing information about the historic agricultural uses of the area; and the Local Access Forum representing groups from walkers and equestrians, through to inclusive access representatives. The feedback is being drawn into the detailed plans for the first phase of the Country Park, which will start delivery from early next Spring next year.
We are excited to be working with Urban&Civic to bring forward a new country park at Alconbury Weald. We had lots of ideas and positive feedback during early engagement with residents and are looking forward to developing plans and sharing them with residents and the wider community.
Rob Pearce, Head of Parks Consultancy for Nene Park Trust
It is important Prestley Park is delivered in a substantively different way than some of the parks within Alconbury Weald, and so the input from groups who may be part of future volunteering or run their own projects within the Park is really key. With the recent purchase of Stukeley Hall Park, we have also almost doubled the size of the green space here, and are exploring how the historic identities of these two parkland settings can become an intrinsic set of spaces and places for both communities.
Rebecca