Firms want to move in but is there enough land?

The news that a new Peterborough business park is planning to incorporate Taco Bell, Costa and Wendy’s outlets is another indicator that Peterborough’s economy is attracting new firms by offering the facilities it and its residents and employees need. There is also news of multi-million pound plans to create a business park on farmland on the edge of Peterborough that could create more than 1,600 jobs. The £21 million venture involves the construction of 20 commercial units on agricultural land at Horsey Bridge, Whittlesey Road, Stanground. Concerns among residents have already been raised in terms of traffic and the impact on the area. This is understandable and it illustrates an issue that Peterborough is increasingly facing. The city has attracted many businesses to new parks with great success. The landmark Gateway development is effectively full but demand is still there. The Local Plan is there for a reason, to guide development within agreed boundaries based on consultation. It’s great news that so many businesses are seeing Peterborough as a good option. But the opportunity to grow Peterborough’s economy will need to be balanced with the concerns of residents in areas that had not previously been thought of as development sites. The Local Plan may need dusting off and further consultation is needed. New sites need to be found but without adverselyeffecting existing communities.