Location and design for skate park at Swindon park unveiled

After months of consultations with citizens and contractors, Stratton St Magaret Parish Council's open spaces officer Oliver Saunders presented his choice for the location and design of the outdoor leisure facility.

He and the rest of the council then took questions from people who feared it would lead to more antisocial behaviour if built in Meadowcroft Park.

Lorraine said: "It's a brilliant idea but not in front of people's houses. What is the rationale for putting it in that park?"

Mr Saunders said that out of the options - Grange, Meadowcroft, Greenbridge Rec, and Merton Field - Meadowcroft had the best access and most suitable land.

Jenny asked: "Older [teenagers] drive cars with headlights flashing near the football court - I go to bed early to get up for work, I need my sleep.

"The skate park should not be there, have it near the trees. The police don't come when we get burgled, how are they supposed to deal with this?"

Kelly said: "It's a fantastic idea and we've come so far to get to this point but let's put it as far from housing as possible.

"The kids causing the problems are there anyway... graffiti-ing and smashing people's cars. What we need to do is prevent, get the police, that would be a good step forward."

Pam Adams from Highworth pointed out there had been similar worries before her town's skate park was built but there have been no bad behaviour issues since it opened.

What Stratton's skate park might look like

The council picked Bandcrete's design, which will be built next spring and costs £110,000 - as did the other contractors' submissions.

Of this, £65k will come from a budget the council has saved up for the last two years and the rest will be paid for through Section 106 funding.

Mr Saunders explained it was good value for money, being the second-biggest of the bunch, and did not have as much unskateable space as other designs.

He added: "To get to this stage has been four years in the making, and the feeling is good.

"There's something for everyone, it's a well-thought-through design and the company - which is local and very credible - has a 20-year guarantee with the build.

"Having great communication and supervision is key. I will talk to my team and the people who use the skate park and if there are any problems, we will find out what's happening and involve a youth worker or the police if necessary."

There will no additional lighting, as the parish council thought it should only used during daylight hours, and CCTV will keep an eye on things. Fencing was deemed to not be worth the expense.

The council resolved to consult more with Meadowcroft neighbours and work with them on the concerns raised, then take further guidance on how the site should be lit.

Meadowcroft field

The orange oval is where the skate park will be