Search for new site as skatepark may close
By Martin Chapman on Thursday, 13th May 2004.
Haverhill skatepark looks set to close after local residents have complained to Haverhill MP Richard Spring about noise levels at the site.
The decision will be considered by St Edmundsbury Borough Council’s cabinet at its next meeting on June 2.
The facility which opened last autumn at a cost of over £40,000 has proved to be immensely popular for young people in the town. Now the search is on for a new site.
Over the summer the council is going to make its mobile skatepark available for use to skaters who will be asked about suitable temporary sites. The mobile skatepark, will be staffed whenever it is used and packed away once a session is finished.
The borough council, has been working alongside other agencies including police, and has tackled the initial anti-social behaviour problems which started when the skatepark, located off Howe Road, opened.
Various measures, including increased police and Council Ranger patrols, had seen a major improvement which meant skaters could enjoy their new facility, however the sheer numbers of young people using the skatepark's facilities has led to an numerous complaints from local residents about complaints from some pieces of equipment.
While the council says work could be carried out to cut noise levels on some pieces, following a review it has been found that it is impossible to cut noise from all equipment to levels which local residents would accept.
The site for the skatepark received extensive publicity while going through the planning stage was chosen following consultation with young people. At the time the planning application was submitted the £44,000 site only received one objection.
The huge popularity of the skatepark means the Cabinet will be asked to support the development of a new site, with the experience gained from the current facility helping to make sure similar problems do not occur again.
A report will go to Cabinet on 2 June asking members to approve the skatepark's closure and support a new facility on an alternative site. Some of the equipment from the existing site may be re-used, the rest will be dismantled and the area restored.
Mike Dawson of St Edmundsbury Borough Council said: "Following Richard Spring's approach on behalf of the local residents we have carried out a detailed assessment of the skatepark and reluctantly concluded that we had no option but to close it because of the noise problems. We know how disappointed young people will be, which is why we're urgently looking to get our mobile skatepark into Haverhill as soon, and as often, as possible.
Mr Dawson though said he was “confident that we went through the proper procedures, including consultation throughout the planning process, when we established Howe Road as the best site.”
However he went on to say that “I don't think we could have foreseen the level of noise coming from so many young people using the equipment.”
The decision will be considered by St Edmundsbury Borough Council’s cabinet at its next meeting on June 2.
The facility which opened last autumn at a cost of over £40,000 has proved to be immensely popular for young people in the town. Now the search is on for a new site.
Over the summer the council is going to make its mobile skatepark available for use to skaters who will be asked about suitable temporary sites. The mobile skatepark, will be staffed whenever it is used and packed away once a session is finished.
The borough council, has been working alongside other agencies including police, and has tackled the initial anti-social behaviour problems which started when the skatepark, located off Howe Road, opened.
Various measures, including increased police and Council Ranger patrols, had seen a major improvement which meant skaters could enjoy their new facility, however the sheer numbers of young people using the skatepark's facilities has led to an numerous complaints from local residents about complaints from some pieces of equipment.
While the council says work could be carried out to cut noise levels on some pieces, following a review it has been found that it is impossible to cut noise from all equipment to levels which local residents would accept.
The site for the skatepark received extensive publicity while going through the planning stage was chosen following consultation with young people. At the time the planning application was submitted the £44,000 site only received one objection.
The huge popularity of the skatepark means the Cabinet will be asked to support the development of a new site, with the experience gained from the current facility helping to make sure similar problems do not occur again.
A report will go to Cabinet on 2 June asking members to approve the skatepark's closure and support a new facility on an alternative site. Some of the equipment from the existing site may be re-used, the rest will be dismantled and the area restored.
Mike Dawson of St Edmundsbury Borough Council said: "Following Richard Spring's approach on behalf of the local residents we have carried out a detailed assessment of the skatepark and reluctantly concluded that we had no option but to close it because of the noise problems. We know how disappointed young people will be, which is why we're urgently looking to get our mobile skatepark into Haverhill as soon, and as often, as possible.
Mr Dawson though said he was “confident that we went through the proper procedures, including consultation throughout the planning process, when we established Howe Road as the best site.”
However he went on to say that “I don't think we could have foreseen the level of noise coming from so many young people using the equipment.”
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