Background
Case Study
Residents of Saxilby wanted a skate/wheeled park for many years. The aspiration also came up through the Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) consultation and was listed as a Community Project in the NDP.
The NDP is a live planning document, which is used alongside the Local Plan by the planning authority (WLDC) to determine planning applications in the area.
Project
Design and Location
Community consultation selected the preferred design of the park.
Further community consultation took place over summer 2019, particularly in relation to the proposed location on the Memorial Field (’The Pav').
A site was selected next to the recreational ground where the existing spider's net and old multi-play unit was located. This is due to the spider's net and multi-play unit being near the end of their natural life span, as indicated from an independent annual play equipment inspection. This also had the added benefit that parents/carers could be in one area if they had children wanting to use different facilities.
A number of sites around the village were considered by the council for the proposed location of the new wheeled park and the recreation ground was selected, as opposed to Westcroft Green Space and Mill Lane playing field for example, for a number of reasons – there was on-site parking, the site's regularly staffed - who can respond to any issues for example accidents or anti-social behaviour, the site has CCTV which covers the wheeled park, and there are on-site facilities (e.g. toilets).
Funding
The £90,000 project, was funded from external funds and not from residents' council tax (precept).
- A significant part of the funding of the wheeled/skate park was received from a developer contribution, Lindum Homes (as a result of works being carried out on council land in relation to their housing development)
- Following an application to Sport England’s Community Asset Fund in January 2020, Sport England funding of £37,000 was secured
- Further funding was received from Stirlin Developments and also from the funds received from the contributions from a Salvation Army clothing bin
Planning
- Planning permission was submitted on 20 January 2021, which provided a further opportunity for the community to be consulted on the plans. Permission was granted on 12 March 2021, with the application actually falling under Permitted Development.
- The Council is grateful to local architect Catherine Amos of Studio Amos who supported the project through the planning process.
- Planning Permission Notice
Construction
- Construction of the wheeled park began on 12 April 2021.
- The construction process was completed on 15 May 2021.
Completion
- The wheeled park was officially completed on 5 November 2021.
- This followed the installation of a bin, benches, a second path, grass matting, signage, CCTV and fencing to the area around the wheeled park.
Following completion of the project, the wheeled park has been, and continues to be, well used by users on bikes, scooters, skateboards and roller blades.