Wheels in motion as skate park approved

A SKATE park for Lancing is one step closer after planning permission was granted on Monday.
Lancing skate park SUS-151124-125919001Lancing skate park SUS-151124-125919001
Lancing skate park SUS-151124-125919001

Adur District Council’s planning committee unanimously approved Lancing Parish Council’s plans for the facility, to be located on Beach Green.

But its exact location on the green – a bone of contention for some residents – may yet be tweaked.

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Parish council chairman James Butcher said: “We are delighted to have taken a significant step forward in delivering a skate park for the young people of Lancing.

“Lancing Parish Council will now pull out all the stops to get the funding and make this a reality.”

Councillors were asked to consider plans to locate the skate park near the Perch café, which drew concerns from residents and the cafés owner, Alex Hole.

Resident Emma Purnell and Manor ward councillor Keith Dollemore spoke out against the location, raising issues including flood risk and safety.

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Adur and Worthing Safer Communities Partnership argued the skate park could reduce antisocial behaviour issues at Queensway.

The planning committee debate followed a stakeholder meeting on Saturday, which saw a range of alternative locations on the green considered.

The most popular suggestion was to locate the skate park next to the children’s playground, away from the café.

Mr Butcher said the parish would consider the matter next month, along with discussions over whether an amended application would be required to move it.

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He said: “We know that the exact location on the green is of concern to some residents and so we have promised to look again at an alternative site, further away from the Perch, at our next meeting and if that is agreed, we will ensure we have a sound legal basis to build there.”

The parish instigated plans for the skate park after a campaign started by Jazz Hardy, 12, of Monks Close.

Speaking after the meeting, his dad Trevor said: “He is obviously really pleased. He originally wrote to Tim Loughton, who asked him to come to a Lancing parish meeting and his friend, Charlie, joined him in his quest.”