12 May, 2004

In response to requests from Haverhill MP Richard Spring, following complaints about noise levels from local residents, St Edmundsbury's Cabinet is to be asked to approve the closure of Haverhill's skatepark.

St Edmundsbury is committed to providing a skatepark - an immensely popular facility for young people - in Haverhill and the search has already started for a new site. Meanwhile the council's mobile skatepark will be used to provide a facility for skaters to use during the summer months. Skaters will be asked about suitable temporary sites for the mobile skatepark, which will be staffed whenever it is used and packed away once a session is finished.

The borough council, working with other agencies such as the police, has tackled the initial anti-social behaviour problems which started when the skatepark, off Howe Road, opened last autumn. Various measures, including increased police and Council Ranger patrols, had seen a major improvement which meant skaters could enjoy their new facility. But the sheer numbers of young people using the skatepark's facilities has led to an unacceptable level of noise from some pieces of equipment. While work could be carried out to cut noise levels on some pieces, a review team has found that it is impossible to cut noise from all equipment to acceptable levels and the only option is to close the skatepark.

The site for the skatepark, which received extensive publicity while it was being planned, was chosen following consultation with young people and local residents also had the chance to comment when the planning application was submitted. At that time only one objection was received and the £44,000skatepark was built. It quickly became very popular with young people. That popularity means that the Cabinet will be asked to support the development of new skatepark, 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 the provision of 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.

Corporate Director Community Mike Dawson 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.

"I am confident that we went through the proper procedures, including consultation throughout the planning process, when we established Howe Road as the best site but I don't think we could have foreseen the level of noise coming from so many young people using the equipment. It is certainly a lesson we have learned and we will make sure such problems do not crop up when a new skatepark is built. We will, again, carry out extensive consultation before deciding on a new site."

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Contacts:

Cabinet member for Leisure and Sport, Terry Clements. Tel: 01284 827161

Group leaders:

Cllr John Griffiths, Conservative. Tel: 01359 268881

Cllr Sheila Wormleighton, Labour. Tel: 01284 761907

Cllr Allan Jones, Liberal Democrat. Tel: 01284 756415

Cllr Mike Ames, Independent. Tel: 01284 701238