Delia, the skatepark design plans were not discussed at the 2011 consultation,
people were merely asked which HLF plan and skatepark location they preferred,
and 54% preferred the skatepark moved. What the consultation data does not show
is that in the GREEN wards to the West, North and East of The Level, there was
not a clear majority vote. See attached map (purple dots show household that
wish skatepark to remain in existing location)
The fact that this controversial project was embarked upon in the first place,
does not mean it is a good project. Thankfully lots of people in our community
agree with this and continue to question the sense of it all. What we have got
is HLF money, but what we're loosing is our Green Open Space. So it is all
about money, isn't it, really.
At the time of the consultation, the councillors thought they did not require
planning permission for either of the two skatepark plans (one for the north
and one for the south of The Level). However, only in May this year when the
plans for the skatepark in the northern end of The Level had finally been
decided upon and the size (volume) of the skatepark was bigger than anticipated
did they realise it would have to go to the planning committee.
The planning committee has to decide on the merits of the skatepark planning
application alone. I read the application documents thoroughly. Five key things
stand out clearly which are very questionable: 1) this is a destination
skatepark not a local skatepark facility as presented in the consultation; 2)
floodlighting was discussed during the consultation and considered excessive
and not appropriate due to close proximity to residential homes. The planning
application however includes floodlighting until 10pm; 3) a project this size
requires a 3 or 4-point noise assessment report - such an assessment has to be
done for projects this size and assesses the impact on local residents,
however, the report submitted did not include real data, just simulated data
and the conclusions in the report therefore could be considered misleading; 4)
clearly missing from the planning application is a health & safety report.
There is a 1m fence around the current skatepark for H&S reasons, but the
skatepark plans for the north do not include one, instead a 0.5m mound is
supposed to do the trick. Including a 1m fence around the skatepark would
present obvious issues at planning stage as it would impact on the
landscape...so they avoided including one; 5) by law the council has to conduct
an equality impact assessment - this has not been done.
The fact that the planning committee even signed off on the floodlighting is
completely laughable. As not one element in the planning proposal was even put
forward for change or adaptation, I believe this project is indeed very
questionable and the people who bothered to write in well considered objections
should not be scorned by people like you...They have a right to a view.
I am not anti-skatepark. I have always wanted a new facility built in its
current location to save our green open space, which is used not only for
recreational purposes but also political rallies, events, the fair etc.