Councillors pledge support for Kirkby skateboard park (From Gazette & Herald)

Councillors pledge support for Kirkby skateboard park

Kirkbymoorside town councillors have pledged their support for the new skateboard park in the Old Road playing field.

However, members say they are concerned about complaints from neighbours of noise "and some aspects of behaviour".

Town clerk Martin Brampton said that a formal complaint had been made to the council "describing circumstances which are evidently quite unacceptable to the complainant".

The issue is due to go before Ryedale District Council's (RDC) planning committee next Tuesday, following claims that the project went ahead without planning permission.

Mr Brampton said there had been letters of support for the skate park, including one from Kirkbymoorside Primary School, which said there was considerable enthusiasm for the skating facilities, which were having a positive effect on children.

"The facility is used with obvious enjoyment," said Mr Brampton.

He added that the town authority felt the park had a significant visual impact on some nearby houses and it has agreed that the hedge could be grown higher and trees planted.

"The council does not consider that the concern about noise can be realistically quantified," Mr Brampton told RDC.

He said the town council believes it is the responsibility of RDC's environmental health officers to provide more information on the noise issue.

"The council regrets that better research was not carried out much earlier in the project," added Mr Brampton.

The town council was "extremely concerned" about claims it may have failed in relation to planning issues.

"The council strongly refutes any such suggestion," he said.

"The council considers it was put under considerable pressure by RDC to grant permission for the skate park in June last year, and required to take the decision without sufficient time to fully explore all relevant factors.

"The council believes that the assessment of noise risks was superficial and inadequate."

But, said Mr Brampton, the town council strongly supported the skateboard park because it provided a healthy, recreational facility.

"The council is concerned for the interests of every member of the community it represents and on the presently available evidence is unable to say whether the present site is suitable for a skatepark. If it should be found unsuitable, the council urges that efforts be made to find a suitable site and to fund the moving of the park."

At its meeting this week, the council agreed to buy a multi-function printer at a cost of £500 plus VAT.

Updated: 12:09 Wednesday, January 12, 2005