PSP's bid for Lake Grounds skate park site refused for second time

A BID to install a skate park at Portishead Lake Grounds has been refused – for the second time.

North Somerset Council executive member for property and asset management, Councillor Tony Lake, has refused an application by Portishead Skate Project (PSP) to site a skate park on land between the children's play area and boathouse.

This was the second application that PSP had made to North Somerset Council for landlords consent.

PSP already has planning permission, which it won at appeal, to site the skate park on the land.

But as North Somerset Council is the landowner, it needs the consent of the authority before it can move ahead with any scheme.

An application was made last year for landlords consent which was refused with PSP being told to work with the town council to look at alternative sites for the skate park.

But a search of other sites in the town proved fruitless and the PSP reapplied for consent to use the Lake Grounds.

PSP chairman Tony Mosely said he was disappointed at the news and the decision had council had let down young people in the town.

But he added that the group was willing to hold further talks with the authority about possible alternative sites.

The news comes after Portishead Town Council withdrew its support for a skate park at the Lake Grounds.

The council in place previous to the 2011 elections had pledged its support to the scheme.

But as part of  the fresh application for landlord's consent, Mr Lake felt a fresh view was needed.

As a result the town council withdrew its support, saying no further development should be allowed to take place at the Lake Grounds.

PSP says it is now willing to reconsider the site at Kilkenny Fields which was initially put forward as an option but ruled out by North Somerset.

PSP has been searching for a site for a new skate park in the town for several years and initially identified 16 potential areas including land at Bristol Road, a plot next to Parish Wharf Leisure Centre, Kilkenny Fields and the Lake Grounds.

Other sites, including one at Gordano School and one owned by a developer in the centre of Portishead have also been put forward as options.

A small skate park was opened at Merlin Park in 2003 at a cost of £12,500, but as the popularity of the sport has soared so has the need for a bigger facility.