Plans to build a new skatepark in Oxford have been approved, with many householders hoping it will encourage more young people to exercise and will tackle rising obesity levels.
North Hinksey Parish council's plans to build a new reinforced skatepark on the grass area of the Louie Memorial Fields have been approved by Vale of White Horse District Council.
The plans were very popular with the local community, with many pointing to the lack of open spaces where children can get together and socialise.
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In the council’s application, it was highlighted that “young people in the area have no dedicated facility of a suitable nature to allow them to use their skateboards, wheelchairs, scooters, skates or BMX bikes safely and appropriately”.
The design of the new skate park is also intended to “honour the historical interest and reputation of the original Botley Bowl” which was decommissioned.
Laura Jones, who lives on 15 Beech Road, wrote on the planning portal: “The neighbours have campaigned for this to happen for more than 12 years now, and it can’t be done soon enough.”
She added: “Kids need spaces where they feel included, thought of and can interact while doing sports they enjoy.”
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Tim Jones, who lives on 106 North Hinksey Lane, echoed Ms Jones’ point and said: “It will be a great new sports facility for young people and others in Botley.
“My daughter enjoys skateboarding and thinks it is a great design.”
Mr Jones said young people had been inspired by seeing skating in the Olympics.
Rachael Monks, who lives on 54 Denton Close, said the skate park would be a “great asset for the young people of Botley”.
She added: “Currently, there is nowhere locally for them to skate without being considered as antisocial or a perceived threat to the more vulnerable members of the community.”
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However, not all householders were happy with the proposals, with one householder fearing it would become a hub of antisocial behaviour.
Writing on the portal, N Carter, who lives on 30 Parkside, said: “I can't agree that a new skate park (and the necessary parking!) are within keeping with the surrounding countryside and open space.”
They said the “old small skate bowl was continuously vandalised”.
The skate park was designed by CANVAS Spaces limited and the design was conceived after consultation with the community through design workshops and a public consultation event.
To mitigate anti-social behaviour, an open plan layout was chosen for the skate park and there are no hidden areas.
The park is low level and has a mixture of ramps which form the higher elements to allow the user to gain speed and maintain momentum.
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