Latest news with #RiverNene
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Girl, 12, raises £1,500 for lifesaving equipment after dad's drowning
A 12-year-old girl has raised more than £1,500 for lifesaving equipment at the site where her father drowned. Ellie Mai McNutt, from Leicester, started the fundraising campaign after her dad, Damian McNutt, died in the River Nene, Peterborough, on May 24, 2024. The 31-year-old, known as "Damo," was a strong swimmer but got into difficulty in the water and was found dead the next day. Recommended Reading: Undercover operation tests shops on sale of knives Ellie Mai, who now lives with her aunt, Farrah McNutt, was "moved" by the lack of emergency equipment at the site and wanted to prevent future tragedies. She raised more than £1,500 to buy two lifebuoys and a bleed control kit to be installed near the site, close to the Asda bridge on the River Nene. Damian's cousin, Maisie Peters, said: "It was all her idea. "She asked, 'Why isn't there a lifebuoy here? "She wanted to make sure no one else has to go through what we did." Ellie Mai's fundraising effort was supported by the local community, friends, family, and Catch a Thief UK Social Enterprise. She raised money through a JustGiving page, a prize draw, handmade jewellery sales, and sweet bags. Her aunt, Chanelle, said: "We are incredibly proud of her. "Her younger siblings, Remi and Kali, can grow up knowing their sister did something truly special." The equipment is set to be installed on May 24, 2025, the one-year anniversary of Damian's death. However, the family has expressed frustration at the lack of response from local authorities. Farrah McNutt, who is now guardian to Damian's three children, said: "It's unacceptable that nothing has been done before now. "Other people have drowned at this spot over the years. "Why has it been left to a 12-year-old and the community to take action?" Do you have a story for Peterborough Matters? Send details to: newsdesk@ Keep up to date with the latest news across Peterborough by signing up to our newsletter email alerts here
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Peterborough riverside green space threatened by development plan
People living near a riverside path and woodland have said building industrial units on land overlooking the area "shouldn't be allowed".There are proposals to build on 115.5 hectares (285 acres) north of the old River Nene in Stanground, project was mentioned in the city's draft local plan, a document used by developers as a blueprint for planning, which is out for public consultation until 23:59 BST on Thulbourn, Peterborough City Council's cabinet member for growth and regeneration, said any proposals needed to be carried out in a "planned way". Thulbourn said: "We understand proposals for growth can be challenging for communities."At this stage, the plan is still in draft form, so the public's feedback is essential."The site near Stanground, known locally as Drysides, has been earmarked for a mixture of industrial, storage and distribution units, and would be visible from a shared path on the south side of the old River Nene that links Stanground Lock with Park Farm the local plan, Peterborough City Council said permission would only be granted under certain included considering the impact on countryside views, biodiversity and local heritage. Olly, 11, regularly goes walking in the area with his mum, Mandy, said the view from the path was "majestic", adding: "Having concrete all along here... traffic and pollution noise, it's just going to disrupt us."It's just a load of nonsense really, it shouldn't be allowed."Mandy said: "Why would you want to build on this, it's beautiful." Jackie Bodimead, 62, said development "should not happen" in the area, which she described as a wildlife corridor with "massive historical significance".She said: "What it does for wildlife is fantastic, you get bats flying along here in summer evenings."Ms Bodimead said anything that disrupted wildlife "surely is important and shouldn't be happening". Ron and Sue Gockel, both 78, said the area was a means for people to "get away from everything".Mr Gockel said: "We used to come down here when the lockdown was on and I think it saved a few people's sanity coming down here."They have both objected to the proposals in the local plan."They don't need to build a huge great industrial park... we'd never have believed they would build on here," said Mr Harper, a Stanground South councillor and leader of Peterborough First, has been campaigning for residents to send comments to the said: "I've gone to the people, social media, 1,100 leaflets have gone out, signs everywhere."This is in danger and [people] must have their say." Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
