Ilfracombe skate park get thumbs up from councillors

PLANS for a new skate park in Ilfracombe have been approved by North Devon Council s planning committee. Following a site visit by councillors yesterday (Thursday,) they approved the bid to turn the former BMX track into a concrete skate park. The �156,00

PLANS for a new skate park in Ilfracombe have been approved by North Devon Council's planning committee.

Following a site visit by councillors yesterday (Thursday,) they approved the bid to turn the former BMX track into a concrete skate park.

The �156,000 project is being led by the council with help from Ilfracombe Skate Committee, the Concrete Surfers Federation, who secured �56,000 of the funding from the Youth Opportunity Fund.

"It was pleasing to see a number of young people turn up to yesterday's meeting, who all showed a passion for the facility," said planning committee chairman Councillor Jasmine Chesters.

"They promised the committee that they would keep it tidy and look after it. Therefore, I hope the skate park will be well used in the future."

Cllr Dick Jones added: "The proposal arose following public community consultation and work with Transform Neighbourhood Management Programme, which identified the need for such a facility.

"Now the planning committee is satisfied with the design, we hope contractors Gravity Engineering Ltd will be able to make a prompt start and the skate park will be well supported by young people."

Work is expected to take 10-12 weeks to complete. The application received 24 letters supporting it, plus one objection and four letters of comment.