What does everyone think of North Somerset Council's decision to refuse permission for a skate park at the Lake Grounds? And should Portishead Skatepark Project now throw in the towel and give up?

I think people should go and read every last corner of the Skatepark Project website http://tinyurl.com/d886bhy and realise how much effort young and old alike have put into such a great project and then ask their district councillors who all supported the skatepark in their elections manifestos and yet were very determined to ensure the plans woud not succeed even after planning permission was given.
These are the same Tory councillors whose leader David Cameron claims to want the 'Big Society' to work and yet the minute lcoal people with a common interest launch a long running and wonderfuly executed community based project councillors deliberately pull the rug from under their feet in a move that was both cynical and nothing to do with anything other than to appease a fellow local councillor who didn't want it on his doorstep. That is the bottom, line.

I have completed my opinion already but it is not showing on this forum. I could be forgiven for thinking that because I agree with the decision to refuse planning the editor has chosen not to print my details. By the way this is not the first time this has happened.

@doogygirl. Sadly the unpalatable truth is that there is a planning procedure that needs to be followed and everybody in the town with an interst in any partcular planning matter can make their point known. Then just as at an election the case for and against and the residents views for and against are discussed and a decison is made. The majority in favour of the skatepark was overwhelming and can be shown by the sheer numbers who took the time to sign petitions and support the case for a skatepark as opposed to the very few who were against. That is a truth that can be easily confirmed by anyone who wishes to follow the link to the planning application given on my last comment.
Planning permission was given and like a child throwing toys from a pram because he didn't get his own way Councillor Pasley used his conservative party connections at North Somerset to abuse the democratic process. I asume that you are happy with councillors behaving this way becasue I feel this has suddenly become about much more than a skate park, something much murkier has gone on and needs a proper investigation.
I would like to know why you feel the PSP have been bloody minded as I have noticed their composure and dignoty have been impeccable during this whole matter as it has been from the start.

"doggygirl" obviously hasn't read any of the planning documentation and the public consultations that showed overwhelming support for the Lake Grounds site (through the planning process) seems to have bypassed her completely. She may care to know that even in the Lake Grounds Ward, the majority of people who responded to the consultation and used their right to voice an opinion in writing to North Somerset Council, voted in support.

Strange that she should mention Gordano School again which makes me wonder where has she been living in the last year. The documentation again is clear on this site and contrary to Cllrs Pasley and Baker giving residents the impression that the school had agreed to a site, this was not the case. Sadly, the media did not print correction reports. In fact, the school's headteacher wrote to the papers to ensure the facts were known rather than the information relayed to the media by two NSC district councillors.

It is frustrating enough for Portishead Skatepark Project to have to continually correct misleading information from councillors on the skatepark but even more annoying that people like "doggygirl" comment without even reading the comprehensive documentation. Did she even take part in the planning process - doesn't look like it. She should know hundreds did and those who chose not to, cannot grumble about the process after the event. "Doggygirl's" comment, "silent majority" is meaningless. Those who chose to stay silent, remain silent and nobody knows what they think. They could in fact all have thought the skatepark was a brilliant idea down there, but we will never know.
Now please do some homework "doggygirl" before commenting again and then your comments will be as "constructive" as these responses.