Agenda item

To consider the Skatepark Task Group report and recommendations contained within.

The Chairman drew the Boards attention to Appendix 5 of the report.  Unfortunately the key was missing from the map.  Copies, inclusive of the key, had therefore been circulated and were placed on the seats at the meeting for reference.

 

Before introducing the Chairman of the Task Group to present the report the Chairman of the Board confirmed the order of proceedings and asked that all those in attendance listen to the debate and extend the same courtesy in the room whether in agreement or disagreement to any comments received.

 

In presenting the report the Chairman of the Task Group, Cllr Peter Hutton, wished to express formal thanks to the Community Area Manager for her time and support in the work of the Task Group.

 

The Task Group had considered a variety of sites details of which were contained within the report.  Consultation had taken place from online surveys to a number of public meetings for local residents and the wider community.

 

The Group had undertaken it’s work under instruction from the Area Board.  Both Stanley Park and Bristol Road had been considered as alternative sites but were not considered to be as suitable as Monkton Park.  The site of the former Police Station was also identified as a potential site but it was understood that this was expected to be released for sale shortly.

 

Feedback received both in support and against the location of Monkton Park were taken into consideration in the preparation of the report.

 

Attendees were also reminded that should the Area Board be in favour of the recommendations made that further consultation would be undertaken at the Planning stage.

 

The Chairman of the Board thanked all involved in the Task Group for their hard work and moved to address the questions received which would be taken as read due to time.  The answers to the questions were read out by the Chairman in order of receipt.  Copies of these can be found on the Council’s website and are attached to the minutes.

 

In response to a request for clarification on the number of meetings undertaken by the Task Group in 2012.  Reference was given to page 72 of the agenda pack where details were noted.

 

The Task Group Chairman moved the following motion which was seconded as follows:

 

To approve proceeding to the next step namely the preparation and lodging of a Planning Application for the installation of a concrete construction Skatepark in Monkton Park, Chippenham next to the Olympiad Leisure Centre and Multi Use Games Area (MUGA).

 

In noting the motion proposed Cllr Caswill requested an amendment which was duly seconded as follows:

 

Recalling its January 2012 decision that at least one site other than Monkton Park should be considered in parallel with it, the board resolves to approve proceeding to the next step towards the preparation and lodging of a planning application, namely further work on both the Monkton Park and Bristol Road locations, which should give additional attention to community views, design and noise mitigation, visual impact and cost with a view to bringing two parallel and equally prepared options for the Board to decide, either in November 2013 (if possible) or January 2014 (at the latest)

 

In presenting the amendment Cllr Caswill confirmed that the case for a skate park in Chippenham was strong and had been well made but was dependant on securing the right location and felt that Monkton Park did not meet the requirements. 

 

It should be noted that as a member of the Skate Park Task Group, Cllr Caswill had circulated a report to Area Board councillors before the meeting expressing his dissent to the proposal made by the Task Group.

 

Reference was also made to the petition received in objection to a skate park at Monkton Park which included signatures from local residents within that area.  Clarification was provided that this was taken into consideration by the Task Group as referred to within the report.

 

Concern was also raised with regards to potential noise levels, the visual impact and the scoring used to identify Monkton Park as the preferred site, indicating that Bristol Road could have been given further consideration.

 

Although noting that the design and cost associated with any skate park would be further considered at the planning stage, Cllr Caswill proposed that the Task Group consider these against both Monkton Park and Bristol Road and provide a further report to the Area Board detailing its findings in November.

 

Cllr Nick Watts, in supporting the amendment made by Cllr Caswill, referred to the ombudsman report used as part of the background documents which related to the management of the process of a previous skate park in Monkton Park approx 10 years previously and questioned what lessons may have been learnt.

 

Following concerns raised, the Chairman of the Task Group highlighted that the map contained within the report showing a red-lined area within Monkton Park referred to the site area being considered and not the size of any proposed construction.  Further clarity was provided that Bristol Road had been identified as a potential site at an early stage of the Task Groups considerations.  In taking into consideration all factors, including proximity to the centre, available facilities and accessibility for the Chippenham community area, Monkton Park was identified as the preferred site.

 

Upon opening up comment on the amendment to the Area Boards members, it was noted that a decision had been deferred several times to reconsider other potential sites which included Stanley Park and Bristol Road and that Monkton Park, as a public open space for the community as a whole and at the heart of Chippenham, remained the preferred site.

 

The amended motion, having been put to the vote, was not supported by the Board and the original motion proposed by the Skatepark Task Group was put forward for consideration.

 

Noting that several members of the public had requested to speak, the Chairman welcomed each to speak at this time and to put forward their views.

 

Judy Edwards spoke in favour of the proposal, clarifying that she worked with the Chippenham Young People Parliament who were also in support for the reasons as cited within the report and asked that the Board note the thorough, fair and unbiased process undertaken by the Task Group.

 

Alison Bailey spoke in favour of the proposal, confirming that a Facebook page established in support of the skatepark had received many supporters, requesting that the Board also consider the economic benefits to the town that would arise.

 

Brandon Chivers spoke in favour of the proposal, and requested that the Board acknowledge the community benefits that it would bring, allowing for people of all ages to come together.

 

Mr Gould spoke against the proposal suggesting the Board should reconsider Bristol Road as a more suitable site for the reasons as outlined by Cllr Chris Caswill.

 

Mr Pitt spoke against the proposal raising concern over the accuracy of the noise assessments used by the Task Group.

 

Irene Goodall spoke against the proposal asking the Board to consider the issues that arose from the last skatepark sited in Monkton Park approximately 12 years ago and the impact any skatepark would have for the children’s play area and any conservation area.

 

Town and Parish Council representatives were also given the opportunity to speak as follows:

 

Cllr David Powell spoke in favour of the proposal clarifying that he had undertaken visits to other skateparks and riverside play parks which existed happily close to town centres and residential areas and requested that the Board consider the economic benefits in attracting families into the Town.

 

Cllr Nick Murry spoke against the proposal, highlighting the petition received in objection to the proposed site, the noise and visual impact of any skatepark in Monkton Park and requested that Bristol Road be considered by the Board as an alternative.

 

Cllr Ian Keasey spoke against the proposal, reiterating that all seemed in favour of a skatepark in Chippenham but felt that alternative sites should be considered.

 

The Chairman thanked the speakers for their time and opened up debate to the Area Board members where the following additional points were raised:

 

That having been identified as a priority discussions around the skatepark had been ongoing for some time resulting in the comprehensive and detailed report presented. 

 

That over the last 10 years technology had improved for both the structure and equipment that might be used on skateparks and that noise levels were as a result unlikely to be an issue.

 

The Chairman of the Task Group thanked all in attendance for their contributions to the debate and requested that the Chairman in putting the proposal to the vote seek recorded votes.  This was supported by 6 members of the Board:

 

Cllr Desna Allen – for

Cllr Chris Caswill – against

Cllr Bill Douglas – for

Cllr Peter Hutton – for

Cllr Linda Packard – for

Cllr Mark Packard – for

Cllr Nina Phillips – for

Cllr Jane Scott – for

Cllr Nick Watts – abstained from voting.

 

The Chairman thanked all for their contributions.

 

Decision:

 

That the Board approve proceeding to the next step namely the preparation and lodging of a Planning Application for the installation of a concrete construction Skatepark in Monkton Park, Chippenham for the benefit of the wider community next to the Olympiad Leisure Centre and MUGA.