Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for non-attendance were received from Councillors Jenney, Lawal, North and Wilkes.

It was noted that Councillors Ekins and Tye were present as substitutes.

The minutes of the meeting held on 17 July 2024 were received.

It was proposed by Councillor L Lawman and seconded by Councillor Brown that the minutes be approved as an accurate record of the meeting and the motion was declared carried.

Resolved that the minutes of 17 July 2023 be approved and signed as a correct record.

The chair asked members if they wished to declare any interests on an item listed on the agenda, or if they had carried out independent site visits.

Councillor G Lawman declared a personal interest, as he had carried out a site visit with project officers when he was a councillor with the former Borough Council of Wellingborough and no decisions were made.

Councillors L Lawman and Jackson declared that they had carried out recent site visits but had not spoken to anyone.

Resolved that the above be noted.

Resolved that planning permission be granted, subject to the conditions listed in paragraph 11 of the report, to include an additional condition in relation to the installation of a bin, the final wording of the condition to be delegated to officers in consultation with the Director of Place and Economy and chair of the planning committee.  

The committee considered an application for the construction of an in-situ spray concrete skatepark to replace the existing skatepark in a new location, installation of two CCTV cameras, installation of solar lighting around the skatepark and demolition of old skatepark at Bassetts Park, West Villa Road, Wellingborough, NN8 4LR.

The Senior Development Management Officer, Chris Law, presented the report to committee, detailing the proposal, description of the site, planning history, relevant planning policies, outcome of consultations and assessment of the proposal.

It was recommended that planning permission be granted subject to the conditions listed at paragraph 11 of the report.

Requests to address the meeting had been received from Jake Campion Wellingborough Skatepark Community, Ria Stanyer on behalf of residents and Rosebud Court and Raj Gill, Projects Officer, North Northamptonshire Council.

Each speaker addressed the committee.

In summary Jake Campion spoke in favour of the application, expressing the need for this facility as the current skatepark was unusable and no longer fit for purpose. Local skateboarders were visiting other locations outside of Wellingborough and if the application was approved this would be a well-used and well looked after facility for all age groups. He considered that the inclusion of CCTV and lighting would be beneficial as the anti-social behaviour experienced at the current skatepark was not related to those who would use the facility. The park was well located, and the location of the new facility within the park was good and would encourage those who wished to participate in what was now an Olympic sport.

Ria Stanyer was present representing a collective of residents and St Barnabas and Freemans Schools. In summary concerns over the green space within the park being diminished were raised. It was stated that Bassetts Park was one of the smallest parks in Wellingborough and was well used by the schools, community groups and charities. The proposed skatepark would be placed on a large green space and was considered disproportionate to the size of the park, and it was suggested that this facility would be better located at Croyland Park. Concern over noise levels, valuations of properties nearby, vandalism, lack of toilet facilities, parking and the lack of an area for the Air Ambulance to land, were also raised. The schools used the park for sports day and this area was suitable as athletics track for the children.

North Northamptonshire Council’s project officer, Raj Gill explained that local skaters had approached the former Borough Council of Wellingborough in 2013 requesting an improved facility, as the existing facility was unsafe and no longer suitable for use. Several complaints from St Barnabas School had been received over anti-social behaviour near to the site, not caused by skatepark users.  It was proposed that the existing facility would be removed, and the area would become a green space.  The projects team had listened to the needs of users and had consulted with many, including around issues relating to noise nuisance, which had been considered to be minimal due to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 72.

There were none.

There being no further business the chair thanked everyone for their attendance and closed the meeting at 7.50pm.