Park plans skate back on agenda

8 December 2007

Lincolnshire Echo

Skaters from across Lincoln are being asked to support a new park bid for the city.

Lincoln Skate Park Project is now considering building a plaza-style facility on King George V's Fields, between St Giles and Glebe Park.

The scheme comes after hopes for an outdoor skate park with ramps and pipes were dashed earlier this year when a landowner withdrew his support.

The plaza project would include up to eight concrete blocks for skaters set in a 130m square concrete base.

Campaigners have until Wednesday to give their views on the scheme.

The group then has to apply for planning permission and if successful, the new facility would be functioning by March next year.

Chairman of the skate park project Ben Sutton (33) said the facility would complement others at North Hykeham and the Backies.

"The council came to us at the end of August saying the £35,000 funding from the neighbourhood renewal fund must be put into something which would be up and running by the end of March or we'd have to give it back," he said.

"We have to let the council know by Wednesday what support there is for the scheme and then we'd have to apply for planning permission.

"This facility is a huge compromise for us - we always wanted a proper park - but it's either this or nothing."

An application for draining and re-seeding a section of King George V Fields has been submitted and plans for three football pitches are anticipated in future.

Businessman Barry Jackson (47), who lives in Montaigne Gardens, Glebe Park, Lincoln, said he was concerned there was too little public consultation over the future of the fields.

"I'm a dad of two boys and I'm all for any facility for young people," he said. "A skate park would probably be a really good idea.

"My concern is that just a few houses that immediately surround the fields have been consulted on the future of this open space which is used by loads of people from Glebe Park and St Giles.

"There is also the big issue of anti-social behaviour on these fields."

Lincoln City Council spokesman Jo Walker said that all residents would be given the chance to have their say on any developments during the planning permission decision-making process.

"As with every application that we receive, members of the public have every right to comment during the planning consultation process," she said.

To take part in an online vote on the park visit

http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=156411&command=displayOpinionPoll&sourceNode=156410&opinionPollPK=61611

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Timeline: How the campaign has been fought

AUGUST 2001: Skaters asked to name potential park sites in the city area.

DECEMBER 2002: Keen skater and park campaigner Karl Cody (left) dies. Donations are given to the skate park project.

SEPTEMBER 2003: Plans for an indoor park in Beevor Street, Boultham, Lincoln (right), are passed by Lincoln City Council. However, negotiations over the land fall through.

SEPTEMBER 2004: An urban sports festival is held at Lincoln Castle featuring skating.

APRIL 2005: Plans to create Urban Sports Centre on land at the Superbowl in Valentine Road, off Tritton Road, unveiled.

JANUARY 2006: After deciding an indoor centre would be too costly, plans are submitted for an outdoor skate park.

APRIL 2007: Owner of proposed site for a skate park near the Superbowl, in Valentine Road, off Tritton Road, Lincoln, withdraws support.

JUNE 2007: Lincoln Skate Park Project Committee donates its equipment to a similar scheme in Mablethorpe.