News

Sept 2011

We are waiting for North Somerset to respond for our application sent in July for a lease for the Land at the Lake Grounds for the skatepark - they've already agreed planning permission but we need this permission too.

Copy of lease application in full below, but without pictures. Most can be found on other pages of this site, ie Designs and Planning, but for the YEP diagram please email project for copy, or for copies of anything else (see Links page for contact information).

July 2011

Application for a lease for land at the Lake Grounds Portishead:

1.Introduction

Following the granting of planning permission for a skatepark on land at the Lake Grounds in Portishead, the Portishead Skatepark Project are now in a position to apply for a lease on the land from North Somerset Council.

This application for a lease specifies the terms of the lease required, the constitution and status of the applicant, the location and design of the skatepark, the specification for the materials to be used, the proposed landscaping, the provision of CCTV and the development of the youth engagement strategy as required within the planning consent, the arrangements for removal and reinstatement of the land if required, the arrangements for ongoing management and maintenance, and the capital and revenue funding requirements and how these are to be financed.

2. Terms of lease

The Portishead Skatepark Project are seeking a long term lease (25 years) due to the permanent nature and high capital cost of the project. This will provide the continuity that prospective funders will need. The PSP are confident that once built the skatepark will enjoy a successful future for many years. However unforeseen circumstances may occur which demands the removal of the skatepark and the termination of this lease. Break clauses at 5 year intervals may be needed to address this. The costs of removal and reinstatement will be built into the capital requirements. (See Section 12 for details.)

3. Constitution and status of applicant

The Portishead Skatepark Project is applying to become a Charitable Incorporated Organisation regulated by the Charity Commission with the following objects:

To provide free-to-use outdoor skateparks

To engage people of all ages but especially girls and boys under the age of 18 in challenging activities aimed at encouraging co-operation, respect for others , self esteem, and physical fitness.

To organise regular events to raise funds and provide a competitive environment for users.

To develop active user groups to assist with the management and development of the facilities and programmes.

To work with the police and other agencies in developing youth engagement programmes to encourage responsible use of the skateparks and surrounding areas.

4. Location of skatepark

The PSP conducted an exhaustive search for suitable sites for a town skatepark. This identified 5 possible locations. A major consultation showed the two most popular sites to be the Parish Wharf leisure centre and the Lake Grounds. Considerable progress was made to develop a site at Parish Wharf until the development of new residential buildings at the end of Parish Wharf made this impossible. After local councillors expressed their opposition to the Lake Grounds site PSP pursued a location at Kilkenny Fields which is close to but not part of the Lake Grounds. Positive discussions were had with Parks and Planning Officers but the proposal was turned down by the Deputy Leader of the council as being inappropriate for an undeveloped area of green space. The PSP was advised to focus on the Lake Grounds and undertook professional assessments of three further sites which again proved untenable for a variety of reasons. Finally the officer appointed by the Deputy Leader of the council to resolve the matter advised that the most suitable site was the one adjacent to the boat house. With this advice leave was given for the PSP to submit a planning application for this location. This was supported by the Planning Department and no other departments raised objections. The subsequent application was refused by the North Area Committee but finally approved at public enquiry in November 2010. Since then alternative sites have been suggested by councillors opposed to the Lake Grounds but no new suitable site that meets the criteria for a successful skatepark has materialised.

5. Design of skatepark

The PSP is proposing to develop a concrete skatepark largely sunk into the raised area of land adjacent to the boat house on the Lake Grounds at Portishead . The design will consist of three sunken areas with various obstacles and ramps suitable for bmx bikes, in-line skates, skateboards, and scooters. A plan of the proposed facility showing the operational area, adjoining small play area, bunding, landscaping, fencing, and access gates is shown at Fig. 1. 3-dimensional sketches of the proposal are shown at Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. The area over which a lease is required is bounded by the new fencing around the proposed skatepark and occupies around 19% of the existing fenced area.

The design criteria for the park specifies that the park:

_ should be suitable for users of all abilities from beginners to experienced users

_ suitable for sports wheel chair users

_ provide activities for spectators who want to be active but not participate in the wheeled activities

_ provide informal seating for spectators and users

_ maintain access around the boat house for people walking around the lake and for activities associated with the boat house

_ be visible to visitors using the promenade but largely screened from residents along Lake Road and Beach Road West

_ encourage users to access off the promenade and discourage access from the play area and the lakeside

6. Specification of materials

An example specification for the concrete skatepark provided by a skatepark company is appended at the end of this application.

7. Proposed siting, access, and landscaping

The details of the landscaping can be seen in the 3 drawings shown in section 3. The design has been developed to minimise the impact of the skatepark on the Lake Grounds. It is using in-situ sprayed concrete to construct sunken bowls rather than the surface mounted frames used elsewhere in the district. With the addition of a grass bund on the eastern side of the area and extensive additional landscaping the skatepark will be largely invisible to residents and users of the Lake Grounds.

The smooth flowing shapes of the skatepark will make it intrinsically attractive as in these parks in Saffron Walden and Midsomer Norton.

The operational area will be fenced using the same style of bow-topped fencing as is used around the area at present in order to blend the new facility into the existing space.

The choice of trees and shrubs for the landscaped areas will match existing provision where possible and will make use of native plants to maximise the wildlife benefit. The siting of the skatepark has been chosen to avoid the removal of any existing trees or shrubs. The following cross sections indicate the landscaping north/south and east/west.

It also highlights the sunken and low nature of the development.

The main access to the facility will be off the promenade to separate skatepark users from other users of the play area. Two additional picnic tables will be provided close to the facility for families using the skatepark.

The skatepark is sited close to Esplanade Road with uninterrupted views to allow casual supervision by passers by and visibility for the police when driving past. The siting also provides easy access for emergency vehicles.

The design of the skatepark includes ramps and jumps with a range of difficulty to ensure that the facility is suited to users of all ages from young scooter riders up to adults. It will also be accessible to sports wheelchair users who wish to take part in wheel sports.

No shelters have been provided because of concerns about anti-social gatherings. Skateparks are not used in poor weather conditions because the slopes become too slippery. Shade is available close to the skatepark under nearby trees.

The siting of the skatepark has been chosen to minimise the loss of green space and leave the maximum amount of space for other users of the area. The design proposes the re-siting of the existing concrete picnic table to free up more open space for informal games.

No lighting is planned for the facility so after construction the facility will consume no energy apart from occasional maintenance. It is anticipated that most users will travel to the site on foot or on their wheels so energy from transport use should be low. Providing a good facility within Portishead will avoid many out of town journeys by users going to other towns to enjoy their sport. As far as possible local contractors will be used for the construction phase to minimise energy use.

8. CCTV

A CCTV camera will be mounted adjacent to the skatepark with views over the skatepark and along Esplanade Road. This will be connected to the North Somerset control room and will be monitored by them.

9. Youth Engagement Programme

The PSP, working with the local police, have initiated a network of youth providers in the town. This network will meet regularly to plan and coordinate youth activities. A wide range of local organisations are participating in this initiative as indicated on the network diagram below:

Once the skatepark has been built it will form a key element in this programme encouraging responsible use of the skatepark and providing a wide range of events, training, and coaching connected with wheel sports.

9. Ongoing management and maintenance

The PSP will subcontract from North Somerset Council the routine inspection and removal of litter from the skatepark. Concrete skateparks have low maintenance costs but the PSP will ensure that any damage or wear and tear is repaired promptly. The PSP will enforce a zero tolerance policy on graffiti and will promptly remove any graffiti applied to the skatepark. All ongoing management and maintenance costs will be met by the PSP.

10. Capital costs

Once a lease has been agreed with North Somerset Council a tender will be issued for the construction of the skatepark and a contractor will be chosen. With a firm price agreed for the skatepark construction the PSP will embark on a programme of fundraising to raise the necessary capital funding. It is anticipated that the capital costs will be in the region of £225,000 including a contingency for the removal of the skatepark at the end of its life (see below). Applications will be made to the following organisations (amongst others):

Communitybuilders

Community Spaces

Biffawards

Landfill Tax Credits (various operators)

Big Lottery Fund

Awards for All

Garfield Weston Charitable Trust

Charitable Trusts (various)

Barclays Spaces for Sports

Local parish and town councils

North Somerset Council

Police Community Trust

Hydrex

11. Revenue costs

It is anticipated that annual revenue costs of around £6,500 will be incurred as follows:

Routine inspection                                  £1,250

CCTV costs                                             £2,000

Repairs and maintenance                        £1,000

Insurance (damage to CCTV,signage)    £1,000

Insurance (3rd party liability)                 £1,250

Rent (assume peppercorn)                      £1

The PSP will hold a series of events and specific fundraising activities each year to raise the necessary funds for annual revenue expenditure.

12. Removal of skatepark and reinstatement

The District Council will not wish to take on any liability in the event of the eventual closure of the skatepark for whatever reason. The skatepark project will therefore ensure that it has sufficient funds to pay for the removal and reinstatement of the park in the unlikely event that the park is forced to close.

Plymouth City Council recently removed a concrete skatepark, similar in size and construction to the one we have planned, in order to redevelop the site. They have advised us that the costs of removal of the skatepark structure was around £15,000. Adding a further £10,000 for reinstatement and landscaping and a contingency gives a projected cost of £25,000.

The capital fundraising will include this amount within the total to be raised.

April 2011

Town Council supports bid for lease

At a full town council meeting the councilors voted to back plans by the project to ask North Somerset to lease it the land for the project. An unprecedented number of young people made up the 42 members of the public attending and as well as some adults, two young people spoke about the project:

Daniel Richardson a young resident of Portishead then asked members to fully support the Skatepark Project. He stated that he had been aware of the efforts of the project group to find a site for the past four years now and now that a suitable site had been identified it should be supported by the Town Council. Daniel stated that he had visited numerous skatepark facilities in the past years and had not heard of any specific public order difficulties at any of them.

Peter Davis a young resident of Portishead and a member of the Youth Parliament, urged members to show their support for the location of the Portishead Skatepark at the Lake Grounds site. He said that the young people of Portishead needed more facilities and should be listened to and supported in providing facilities for them.

The following resolution was passed on a majority vote. Councillor Palsey requested that his vote against the resolution be recorded, and Councillor Cameron requested that his abstention be recorded.

‘Portishead Town Council supports the application made by the Portishead Skatepark Project in gaining landlord’s consent and seeking a lease for the skatepark at the Lake Grounds. The Town Council will write to North Somerset Council stating that support, the letter to include that the Town Council support the application on the understanding that the Skatepark Project will be formed into a legal entity with charitable status prior to any such permission being granted’.

April 2011

David Pasley’s Lake Grounds survey

Despite two open days, a democratic and well publiced planning process, much press coverage and much leafleting and in the Lake Grounds area, Local councillor David Pasley, who represents the Lake Grounds ward, maintained Lake Grounds residents hadn’t had a chance to express their views about our plans. He carried out a survey amongst local residents asking their views about a skate park at the Lake Grounds. He says around 120 properties were surveyed, and around 80 per cent responded, with 86 per cent of people saying a skate park was inappropriate at the site. He has refused to share the data or details of area surveyed or even be specific about numbers with the project.

June 2011

Lease turned down before we apply?

The project was surprised to read press reports saying our application for a lease at the Lake Grounds would be unsuccessful before we had sent it in. North Somerset Council executive member for streets and open spaces, Councillor Peter Bryant, is recommending that Portishead Skatepark Project (PSP) is refused landlords permission to site the skate park on a section of land between the childrens' play area and the boathouse. Mr Bryant will now put a report to executive member for asset manager, Councillor Tony Lake - who will make the final decision - recommending consent is refused. Mr Bryant said:

"I have looked at this issue at some length and I believe that the Lake Grounds would be a totally unsuitable site for a skate park like this. The Lake Grounds is a serene area with a boating lake and more gentile activities like sailing and cricket. This makes it a particularly pleasant place to be. To allow a skate park here would destroy that peace and have an adverse affect on local residents. Portishead already has a skatepark which has fallen victim to vandal attacks and is a meeting point for anti social behaviour. There are other sites available in the town which would be far more suitable." (The project ask asked him to name these).

Mr Pasley said: "This is good news for residents at the Lake Grounds who had concerns about the introduction of a skate park. I have always maintained that the Lake Grounds was not the right place for a facility such as this."

June 2011

User Group Meeting

A User Group was held at North Weston Hall.

July 2011

Youth Engagement Plan

The project organised a first meeting with local Police to set up a Youth Engagement Plan at St Barnabas Children's Centre. Areas of discussion covered:

What facilities are available for young people?

What other facilities are needed in Portishead?

How should we set about obtaining such facilities?

How do we engage young people in this process?

The PSP created this initiative as, in the Planning Agreement for the new Skatepark, it agreed to produce a Management Plan that included Youth Engagement. Representatives from the district and local Police, Portishead Open Air Pool, Gordano Valley Church Youth Club, Portishead Youth Forum, Portishead Town, Portishead Skatepark Project, Northerncare Girls Home, St Peter’s and St Nicholas Churches attended and representatives from Gordano School (Head and pupils) and Bahai Faith would like to attend future meetings.

July 1011

Merlin Park extension

Cllr David Pasley proposed that £15K be set aside for repairs to Merlin Park and to look into adding another ramp. The project is pleased to hear that Merlin Park may be extended as we believe satellite skateparks are needed in the town as well as a larger, more central skatepark. Two of our project members Dan and Charlie are helping the councilors with this.

July 2011

Town Council Latest Wheelspark Working Party

The youth of Portishead have waited over six years to find a site for a skatepark and in order to finally resolve the issue of a suitable location members of the Portishead Skatepark Project are happy to work with Arthur Terry's Chairman's Working Party to review all potential locations in the town, providing we can agree a short time frame and have suggested reporting its findings back to Town Council in October. The project is continuing with submitting our request for Landlord's consent at the Lake Grounds location for which we have planning permission, and the support of the public, the police and the Town Council.

July 2011

Town Council Youth Forum

An opportunity set up by the Town Council for young people to have their say. The project was well represented as of the five young people there, 3 were skateboarders and 2 were bmxers.