I know this is long one but it pays to be thorough,
So we had our first meeting with Chelmsford County Council last night, thanks mainly to Mr Stephen Robinson for setting the meeting up. First I will add the notes from the meeting and then highlight the key points. Understand though this may taste bitter sweet but there is definitely a chance for us to do something great for Chelmsford.
Meeting re Skateboard ramps, Central Park
18th March 2009, 6.00 pm Christy Room
Present: Stephen Robinson; Luke Pearce; Phil McEwan-Bell; Darren Coles; Glenn Parkington; Paul Van Damme
Meeting Notes
1. Background: Paul Van Damme outlined development influences that were likely to impact upon Central Park (ARU campus & ECCC ground), but emphasised that the Council considered the skateboard ramps were an important recreational facility for the community and that there were no plans to remove them. It was acknowledged that the existing ramps were in need of attention and refurbishment works were in hand. This is an interim measure to facilitate longer term planning and potential replacement with improved skateboard facilities. Other considerations were the views of the Environment Agency for works affecting a flood plain, and a need for planning permission for anything other than a like-for-like replacement. Skateboarding reps emphasised that whilst refurbishment was reassuring, the existing ramps must be replaced, ideally along lines of a concrete construction such as Harlow or Saffron Walden - handouts were circulated as examples of good facilities elsewhere.
Action: Parks Service to review construction of concrete ramps provided elsewhere, as examples of best practice.
2. CHP offer to facilitate setting up a formal representative group: Stephen Robinson referred to an offer from Malin Blom to help set up an organising group. Paul Van Damme indicated the Council would speak to Malin Blom about this and how it might best work.
Action: Parks Service to arrange discussion with Malin Blom
3. Initial refurbishment works: Skateboarding reps asked if they could see recommendations/attend when contractor starts to point out problems that might be missed. Paul Van Damme stated this would be useful input and would see what could be arranged, as order had been placed.
Action: Parks Service to check proposed start date and inform skateboard reps accordingly. Arrange site meeting with Andy Eaves (supervising officer for works) to enable reps to input their knowledge on defects/remedial.
4. Gt. Baddow ramp: Skateboarding reps referred to an offer from Ongar Town Council to dismantle and deliver a sectional concrete ramp to Baddow as a replacement for that which had been destroyed by arson a few years ago.
Action: Parks Service to contact Parish Council to ascertain their position on the offer referred to them
5. Planning permission: There were as yet no definitive proposals from the ARU campus developer in respect of the sub-way widening required by both the Highway Authority (ECC) and the borough council. Given that this was the main factor directly affecting the immediate location of the skateboarding facility, clarification on likely impact to Central Park was needed.
Action: (a) Parks Service to discuss with planners/ECC likely engineering
requirements to facilitate future planning of any revisions to skateboard area.
(b) Skateboarding reps to let Parks Service have any useful information concerning planning obstacles/difficulties encountered elsewhere and subsequently overcome, in order to aid discussions with Planners for any future planning application concerning a new facility.
6. Future Meeting: date/location TBC following discussions with Malin Blom
So to break this down section by section -
1. Background
Whatever happens our could happen all depends on the building sites surrounding Central Park, two of which being a major factor, the old University Campus and a residential development by the Cricket Ground.
Unfortunately what this means is no development will be able to happen on the Skatepark site until these development projects are finalised. Although things don’t look great for this at the moment due to the economic climate etc but this does not mean all hope is lost.
What follows is CCC’s Plan that is already in place to improve Central Park and the surrounding area, their vision “A dynamic, destination city park for all-age recreation for the 21st century.” their words.
As you can see Chelmsford County Council are not adverse to improvement and have taking everything we said and presented them with onboard.
Basically the entire development of Central Park includes the improvement and most importantly the inclusion of the Skatepark.
2. CHP offer to facilitate setting up a formal representative group:
What this means is we will soon be put in contact with a similar group in the area who are campaigning for a BMX/Mountain Bike dirt track in Chelmsford. This could prove helpful as we all have a common interest and ambition. You will know more when we do.
3. Initial refurbishment works
This is great news and will at least put a few minds at ease. The council will not be removing
the ramps,
But will be starting cosmetic work to make what we have now safer and that bit much cleaner,
I gather that from next Monday some preliminary replacement/repair riveting will be done, then sand blasting is to be arranged (date tbc) to both clean away debris and rust and reveal any hidden problems, prior to relining/surfacing work with an epoxy resin coating.
We will be meeting with the company on Wednesday 24th to consult on what is being done and what other issues need to be addressed.
Basically the Council are willing to at least put some money in immediately to repair our Skatepark not just to hand us off but giving us a safer environment until the developments take shape and things become set in stone. We have to wait until building on these sites first in order to know for certain what space etc we are dealing with. This is a positive step as it gives us the time to start a full fund raising initiative.
In answer to peoples questions about simply moving the site the problem lies mainly in the ownership of the land and where the Skatepark fits into this. Unfortunately to the side or under the viaduct will never be an option but ideally we are in the best place already. What we get is a claim on the spot we’re currently on due to Council legislation that prevents the council from removing the facility if not without replacing it.
4. Gt. Baddow ramp
Probably not going to be a viable option but the Council will keep us informed on what is happening with the Ramp. We will let you know when we do.
5. Summary
Until an approved development for the old campus site, which includes the widening of
the subway, is solidified the Skatepark will not change but this meeting presented CCC with a
lot to think about. All of the issues raised by the Skatepark Campaign group up to and including the Parks Services and Essex County Council actually considering and looking into the development and improvement of the Skatepark, most notably what our County Town needs, a concrete Skatepark with a Bowl.
As well as the Council looking into the planning and engineering of a 21st Century Skatepark, the group will be providing the council with a lot of material and references in order to get the seeds planted.
We have been assured that the Group will be kept up to date with anything relevant to the Skatepark from here on in, which is great news for us all,
The foot is firmly in the door, now is our time, we have a lot of work to do.
Phil McEwan-Bell
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