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Site Options Paper The project was asked to produce a paper on the options for other sites. You can download a Paper with photos here and the text is summarised below. Site Options for Pewsey Skate park
Restatement of Requirement
There is very strong support for the building of a skate park in Pewsey. Consultation has gained support from the Police, Area Community Trust, Parish Councils, young people, parents and youth groups. The requirement is stated in the village plan, has topped the list of the youth requests in Wiltshire CC youth consultation (LYPIG) and has now been identified as a Section 17 issue by the Police.
This has been made worse recently by the removal of what little skate and BMX facilities did exist at the school. The young people of the area now only have the option of skating in the street or local car parks.
To build a park requires a piece of land that is:
- At least 50 meters from any house
- Inside the village boundary
- Available free or long term, pepper corn rent (probable Parish or local authority owned)
- Available now or in near future
- Able to get planning permission for park
Possible Sites:
Pewsey Vale School Site
This is still the preferred option of the project.
Original site identified by project was the old farm and sheep farm (figure a.) The site is described as ‘perfect’ by most who view the proposals as it meets all of the requirements.
Unfortunately unknown to the project team, this site has also been identified by the school for use as outdoor theatre and (later) a land management college. These plans appear relatively advanced as the school has been awarded special Arts College status and the amphitheatre appears to be part of that award.
PACT are fully supportive of any initiative that puts assets into the community however, another theatre facility is not high on the community requirements and is not identified in any consultation or requirement study as necessary. The village has a theatre (The Bouverie hall) with an active amateur dramatics society and the school also has a stage. Although the requirement for another one is now real to the school (because of the special status bid) it is difficult to see the requirement as real in a wider context of the community.
A combined amphitheatre and skate facility would be of value because (a) it would be an interesting feature to skate and (b) would allow the young people to stage skate/rock nights, a previously very popular set of evenings and (c) would allow the development of the real identified need – a skate park. PACT want to discuss how a combined amphitheatre/skateboard project could be developed.
The rest of the site has been earmarked by the school for a ‘land management’ course which will take the entire field identified by the skateboard project. The community have no details of this scheme therefore it is difficult to make comment on, other than to say it would seem that there is a piece of land exactly the same shape and size, owned by the school that could be used for this facility and allow the skate park project to proceed.
The Kick Around Field
Not suitable for a skate park as it is too close to houses
Behind the Shak
Possible. If the current basketball court could be relocated then a piece of land large enough would be created. Although this has the advantage of being directly attached to the youth centre (the Shak) we would have concerns about the noise reflecting off the buildings and affecting the houses (marked on the drawing.)
School Field
Too close to the houses and the school building itself, although this space could be entirely suitable for an amphitheatre or buildings for the land management college or have the basketball court identified above moved onto it.
School field
Interesting space in that it is currently disused but would be entirely suitable for the land management course identified by the school. Could be developed as a skate park but seems too remote from everywhere to be secure.
The Angela Yates Field
Parish owned land that is currently on a long lease to the Pewsey Rugby club. It is possible that, if the lease could be modified, a skate park could be built on the piece of land identified.
A skate park here would be highly visible and not in keeping with the rural setting however but is currently being developed more. It is possible that an argument could be made for the fact that if a club house is being built on the field then a skate/bmx facility would add to the multi use sports appeal of the site. It is possible that the rugby club may even be able to recruit from the skaters!
On the negative sides, the field is a little far out of town for the transport links, is along an unlit road (which may be dangerous for the young people) and is currently used for training on by the Rugby Club therefore they would need to relocate somewhere.
The Old Hospital Field
Owned by the Parish Council and on lease to the youth football club. It would be possible to build a skate park on this field but for the reasons identified for the Angela Yates field it is not ideal. Possible places to build are marked on the map.
The Grove
There is land here but a lot of trees would need to be cut down. Does not seem very good way forward.
By the existing play area
Too close to existing housing.
Broomcroft Road Site
Would appear too close to housing. Also unsure who owns this land.
The Scotchel
Parish Council owned but would be fiercely opposed by local people as this is a nature reserve and a wetland. It is possible with drainage and building a space could be carved out of this land however.
Ways Way
There is a small triangle of land here. Does not seem large enough to accommodate a skate park however?
Other Parish or Local Authority Owned land?
The project would love to hear about other land that meets the requirements identified at the start of this paper that could be made available to the community for this project.
Conclusion
The unfortunate conclusion of local people is that the only sensible place to build this much needed facility is on the land at the school. It appears that the proposed projects could either be combined into the skate park or easily accommodated elsewhere on the school grounds but the skate park only has one sensible location in the village.
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