Geography students from Ely College presented ideas for Ely’s new park to a panel of councillors.

Some of the ideas mooted by the Year 8 pupils included a community orchard and an allotment, rowing, boating and fishing areas, a music area with bandstand, a camping site and stables and wi-fi in the public areas.

The students delivered presentations to Councillor Tony Cornell - chairman of East Cambridgeshire District Council, Councillor Lis Every - mayor of Ely, and Councillor Mike Rouse - ward councillor for Ely North.

Cllr Mike Rouse said: “We were amazed by quality of the presentations we received. The students were incredibly confident and had obviously given a great deal of thought to their proposals.

“We were particularly impressed how the students had considered issues such as sustainability, deliverability and how the park could potentially generate income.”

The school sessions were part of the wider public consultation being held on the new park, which the district council hopes will form a key part of the wider North Ely development of 3,000 homes.

Consultants Sheils Flynn will consider all the feedback received during the consultation and incorporate it into a report, which is due early 2015.

Emily Hill, from Ely College, said: “It was wonderful to see our students rising to the challenge of coming up with ideas for how the new North Ely Park should look. “Where others may have seen problems or issues the groups just saw opportunities and potential. This led to designs which were thoughtful, imaginative and inclusive. All the students enjoyed their experience and they can’t wait to see if their ideas make it into the plans.”