The decision notice recommending refusal of our application for landlord's consent/lease to have the skatepark at the Lake Grounds is due to be signed off by the Executive Member at North Somerset Tony Lake on Wednesday 30th November 2011. This is it:
2011/12 scheme
NORTH SOMERSET COUNCIL
DECISION OF THE EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR ASSET MANAGEMENT
WITH ADVICE FROM THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & RESOURCES OF THE COUNCIL
DECISION NO: FR64
SUBJECT: PORTISHEAD SKATE PARK – LAKE GROUNDS PORTISHEAD
BACKGROUND:
The Portishead Skatepark Project (PSP) submitted a planning application for the installation of a skatepark on part of the Lake Grounds, Portishead which, whilst refused by North Area Committee, was approved on appeal in November 2010. Having obtained planning permission on appeal the PSP have approached the Council for permission to lease part of the Lake Grounds for 25 years at a peppercorn rental in order to enable it to commence a programme of fundraising to raise the estimated £225,000 capital costs required to install the skatepark.
Full details regarding the proposal are contained within PSP’s application for a lease.
Consultation has taken place with Streets & Open Spaces and with the 6 Portishead Ward Members. The majority view from the Ward Members is that the Lake Grounds was created by the former Urban District Council as a facility for the quiet enjoyment of all residents of the town and visitors and that there is concern about the threat to this principle by the demands of individual interest groups for space to be allocated to them for their own purpose. The view was that the Lake Grounds already accommodates a wide range of users and fulfils, in its current form, the above purpose and that further development would be detrimental to that purpose. It was also felt that if this lease request is approved for another use it could lead to further demands by other local organisations for dedicated use of other parts of the Lake Grounds.
In conclusion, whilst it is recognized that the Group have a genuine desire to provide a facility for this minority activity, it is considered that the Lake Grounds is not the appropriate location for it given the detrimental impact it would have on the existing use of the area.
DECISION:
That officers be instructed to respond to the application received from PSP confirming that a lease will not be granted in this instance for the reasons set out above
Reasons:
As set out above
Other Alternatives Considered:
None
Financial Implications:
None
Implications for Future Years:
None
Signed: ........................................................
Director of Finance & Resources
Dated: ........................................................
Signed: ………………………………………….
(Executive Member for Human Resources, Asset Management & Finance)
Dated: …………………………………………….
So...
The decision is going against us. He has asked our six district councillors for their views and make a decision. Five out of the six have told him they are opposed to the project having a lease for a skatepark at the Lake Grounds. The one that supports it is David Jolley, West Ward (who lives in W-s-M) but the five who oppose it live in Portishead and they are:
David Pasley, Coast Ward
Reyna Knight, Central Ward
Alan McMurray, North Weston Ward
Arthur Terry, East Ward
Felicity Baker, Redcliffe Bay Ward
If you feel strongly about this please email or contact your ward councillor and Tony Lake as soon as possible. Their contact emails, telephone numbers etc are as follows:
Tony Lake
Executive Member of North Somerset
Council who must sign the decision notice.
Tel: 01934 852 400
Mobile: 07760 307 729
Email: tony.lake@n-somerset.gov.uk
Address: The Myrtles,
David Pasley
Ward: Portishead Coast
Tel: 01275 842 402
Mobile: 07836 369 238
Email: david.pasley@n-somerset.gov.uk
Address: Eden
Cottage, 7 Beach Hill, Portishead BS20 7HT
Arthur Terry
Ward: Portishead East
Tel: 01275 840 247
Email: arthur.terry@n-somerset.gov.uk
Address:
Alan McMurray
Ward: Portishead South and North Weston
Tel: 01275 845 949
Mobile: 07753 867 502
Email: alan.mcmurray@n-somerset.gov.uk
Address: 11 George Street, North Weston, Portishead BS20 6TD
Felicity Baker
Ward: Portishead Redcliffe Bay
Tel: 01275 843 365
Mobile: 07720 399 324
Email: felicity.baker@n-somerset.gov.uk
Address: 103
Hillside Road,
Reyna Knight
Ward: Portishead Central
Tel: 01275 849 997
Mobile: 07885 595 387
Email: reyna.knight@n-somerset.gov.uk
Address: