Pressure group back skate park (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Pressure group back skate park

A MALMESBURY pressure group is encouraging young people to support a controversial plan-ning application to ensure a new skate park is built for the town.

As reported in last weeks Standard, Persim-mon Homes has applied to build five new homes at land overlooking the Reeds Farm estate.

The planning application also includes plans for resolving long standing drainage problems in Morse Close, as well as building a new skate park on land behind the youth centre, near Somerfield super-market.

The action group is urging people to write and give their support for the new devel-opment, which they say offers real benefits because it will provide a permanent skate park which has been long awaited by young people.

Residents who attended last weeks planning meeting complained that the inclus-ion of the new skate park was simply a carrot to encourage people to support the proposed plans.

Sue Alexander, leader of the action group, said: Youths have been asking for a skate park for years. I took over the campaign for the park in Malmesbury about six years ago, because I felt that there was a need for older children to have a place for physical activity on wheels.

People say that skateboards will go out of fashion, but I think there will always be a need for this type of area.

The action group is asking people to sign a petition to urge people to support the application.

Mrs Alexander says that she is keen for the plans to be accepted, as there is a lack of recreational space for children in Wiltshire: When the outdoor pool is closed, there will be very little outdoor space for children. Some of them spend their whole summer by the pool, so when that goes, they will need somewhere else.

The site has been described as a planning gain by Persimmons, as the land that they are giving for the skate park is more than what they are proposing on in Reeds Farm.

Mrs Alexander said: I want to make it quite clear that Im not supporting the building of houses on the land behind Morse Close, but that I am supporting the fact that Persimmons are willing to give us some land for a skate park.

I dont condone blackmail of any kind, but when weve waited for years for something to happen, then it is a good opportunity.

The site that we are being offered by Persimmons is ideal, in that every other site we have looked at has had problems, such as houses nearby.

I respect the views of the Morse Close residents, but I am only supporting the fact that we have been offered land for a skate park.

Some of the Reeds Farm residents who signed the petition said they were happy for the new houses to be built, as the land is used as a rubbish tip at the moment.

The Mayor of Malmesbury, Cllr John Bowen said: I find myself in a very difficult position because I want to offer support to both the residents of Reeds Farm, and the Malmesbury people who want a skate park.