The building has become a centre for vandalism, as it’s covered in graffiti and windows are boarded up

“Fed up” residents are demanding answers over the future of a derelict building that has been left as an “eyesore” for 19 years. Bretton Court along Flaxlands in Bretton, Peterborough, has been left in disrepair for nearly 20 years.

Once the home of The Roundhead Pub and offices, the building has since been a centre of vandalism, with boarded up windows and graffiti covering it. Nearby residents have seen the building get into a worse state over the years.

They are “fed up” with nothing being done with it, and are demanding answers from its owners. Residents John Hopkins, Alan Gasparutti, Carol Strong and Jo Parker are some of these residents.

“We are all ashamed of it – it’s been like that for a long time and nothing is being done about it,” said Carol. She added: “It looks terrible.”

John, who has lived in Bretton since he was a child, and Alan feel the state of the building will put off people moving to the area. John said: “I know people that have moved away because they feel the community feel is gone [in Bretton]. Buses go past this building and it’s the first thing you see. What do those people think of it?”

Alan said: “The building has been derelict for 19 years. It’s so big, but nothing has been done with it. We don’t want an eyesore here. If anyone goes near there, it will put them off.”

Jo has lived in Bretton since the 1970s. The former art teacher said the “heart of the community has been ripped out” since it has been left in disrepair. She added: “When I moved here, it [Bretton Court] was a place for everyone.

“The pub used to have a gallery, but they didn’t replace it with anything. It feels like Bretton has been left behind. It used to be a great community.”

Another resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said the building is a “disappointing sight”.

They added: “Nothing is being done about it. If it’s not better taken care of, it’s just going to get worse. The barbed wire around it looks like a prison right in front of our houses.”

Several planning applications have been submitted to Peterborough City Council for the building, including conversion of the former pub into shops and offices. These were permitted, but no work has taken place.

John, Jo, Alan and Carol would like to see Bretton Court put to better use. Carole wants the building to be turned into “something for the community” and “something to bring people in”.

She added: “We are just fed up. We want something sorted, but there are always excuses.”

John would like the building to be used for something to improve the nearby health centre, as well as something for the “future generation”.

Jo would like to see it be used for art. She said: “Coming from the world of arts, it could be an art and crafts centre, a dance studio, something to do with music and an art gallery. There is a lot of potential there.”

The building is operated by Medesham Homes, which is a joint venture created by Peterborough City Council and Cross Keys Homes in 2016. Cross Keys Homes has been seeking to dissolve its partnership with Medesham Homes.

The residents feel “fobbed off” by the council, and want some answers over the building’s future. John said: “We want conversations with them. We want to know what is going on, and maybe some input. If they have plans, let us know what is going on.”

Councillor Mohammed Jamil, cabinet member for finance and corporate governance at the council, said he is aware of residents’ concerns.

Cllr Jamil said: “We are fully aware of the issues concerning Bretton Court, including the impact this may be having on nearby residents, and are actively working with Cross Keys Homes to resolve the long-term future of the site as part of our interest in Medesham Homes Ltd.

“We are working to agree terms, and conclude discussions with Cross Keys Homes as soon as possible. Following this it is anticipated that the site will eventually be refurbished or redeveloped.”

A Cross Keys Homes spokesperson said: “We appreciate, and share, the frustration of local residents regarding the ongoing issues at Bretton Court. We have been looking to dissolve the Medesham Homes partnership for several years now since it was clear that Peterborough City Council didn’t want to keep investing in the joint venture.

“We have made several offers to them and are still waiting for the council’s response with draft heads of agreement on our most recent offer made in August 2025. Unfortunately, without a response, it is impossible for Cross Keys Homes to move forward and realise the positive benefits of the site regardless of which partner takes it over.”

Medesham Homes have been contacted for further comment.

Cllr Angus Ellis, Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment said: “We need people’s help not only to report fly-tipping to us but also to encourage others not to do it. “

A Peterborough resident has shared their frustration towards “horrendous” fly tipping in places around the city. Mark Fishpool, who has lived in Peterborough all his life, runs a community volunteer group and carries out a clear up most days.

Mark expressed his frustration after finding fly-tips in various places across Peterborough and particularly in Fengate. Some of the places Mark and his volunteer group have recently found fly-tips include Storeys Bar Road, Edgerly Drain Road, Willow Hall Lane, and near Manor Drive Academy.

Mark is calling for “urgent action” to fix the “epidemic”. He said that he is lucky to have not found a “huge industrial fly tip” so far but if it carries on, he said “one day it will be somewhere hidden away”.

Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment, Cllr Angus Ellis said: “We are fully aware of fly-tipping levels locally and are actively working to tackle the issue. Several measures have been implemented across Peterborough and surrounding areas, including investing money in new cameras in hotspot locations and are working with communities to educate them about correct waste disposal.”

The 70-year-old resident explained that Willow Hall Lane is a fly-tipping hotspot, and described it as “horrendous” there. Mark said that he finds fly-tips on both private and publicly owned land, and he documents all his findings with photographs to report to Peterborough City Council.

Mark explained that he has been campaigning for the last three years in order to “get things changed”. He believes that the “system needs to change” and “more pressure put on from people with a little bit of power.”

He said: “It is the pollution of the river courses and the streams that is the heart-breaking thing. When I see all this in dikes and ditches, I think, this isn’t doing the environment any good whatsoever.”

The waste that Mark said he is finding can sometimes leave roads blocked. Some of the worst things that Mark and the volunteer group have found include oil containers, old chemicals, and tins of paint, which can leak into the watercourses and once it gets into the water “it is impossible to clean it out”. It is “killing all the wildlife and wild animals” and “it must make them suffer tremendously”, he said.

The volunteer has previously been sent pictures of animals caught up in wire, netting or in a tin can, and said “I don’t think the general public realise the damage they are causing by just going out and thinking ‘I’ll just dump this here’.”

Mark works everyday to clear the fly-tips, and said: “I see things that other people don’t. When you drive along a road in your car, you only see half the picture but when I am walking along, I can see the dikes and the ditches, and the fields that other people don’t see.

“What annoys me most is, instead of just dumping it on the side of the road where it can be collected easily, they [fly tippers] are throwing it into dikes and ditches, which sometimes are ten feet deep, making it difficult to clear it. I do not agree with fly tipping, but they are causing a double problem.”

“It makes you wonder what goes through their mind when they are doing it”, Mark added.

Last week Mark was litter picking on Highbury Road in Peterborough, and he said that “when you look down into the dikes and ditches, it is full of everything under the sun that is laying there in the water.” He also sends his photographs to local councillors but they are only able to report it he said, and he assures that “they probably try their best”.

Peterborough City Council said they have also set up a cross-party task and finish group to look at fly tipping and increased Fixed Penalty Notices for fly tipping offences to the maximum amount.

As well as this, Cllr Ellis said that they have also ran a public awareness campaign to educate residents about the environmental and legal consequences of fly-tipping and plan to continue these in future.

Cllr Ellis continued: “As part of our most recent campaign, we updated our website section on fly-tipping which now contains helpful advice about using registered waste carriers and how businesses and landlords should dispose of waste. Our officers also regularly visit local schools to teach children about the importance of proper waste disposal.

“We need people’s help not only to report fly-tipping to us but also to encourage others not to do it. I would also like to remind people that we are only responsible for cleaning fly tipping from council land and if people witness a fly-tip taking place they should report it immediately to the police.”

The service frees up bed spaces in hospital

Peterborough City Council’s ruling cabinet has agreed to renew a service which entitles local hospital patients to receive vital support following their discharge from hospital care.

At a meeting on Tuesday, February 10, the cabinet approved plans that will enable the Discharge Support Service – which has been in place since 2017 – to continue operating out of Peterborough City Hospital.