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Setback unites skatepark protests
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| Jack Richens, left, who is trying to get a skatepark built in Cowley Marsh Park, and Charo Bajo, right, with other local residents who are opposed to the plan, are all fed up that the city council has again failed to make a decision |
Controversial plans to build a skatepark in Cowley Marsh Park have been put off yet again over fears it has become a "party political issue".
And for the first time, campaigners both for and against the proposal are in agreement - it's time for Oxford City Council to decide one way or the other.
The decision was due to be made by the council's strategic development control committee on Friday, April 25, following a recommendation by the Cowley area committee to refuse it.
But following legal advice, the council decided to put it off until after the local elections on Thursday, May 1, and will not now discuss it until Wednesday, May 28.
Jack Richens, 28, executive officer for Oxford Wheels Project, which is behind the scheme, said: "The reason they are giving is that it has become a party political issue and can't be dealt with fairly in the run-up to the election.
"It's another delay and the whole decision on the skatepark has been delay after delay.
"We've been trying to do this for 10 years now and we really need to know what they decide so we can move ahead, whatever the decision may be."
Meanwhile, Julia Keddle, who lives in nearby Crescent Road and has objected to the plans, said: "It's time for them to make a decision.
"It annoys me that the decision is never final and we are forced to put our point across again and again.
"It's extremely annoying that we think we have put the thing to bed and then it comes up again."
Oxford Wheels Project has been running a skatepark in Meadow Lane for 10 years.
But as the site is on a floodplain, the ramps were only temporary and are now coming to the end of their life.
Skateboarders and BMX riders said they would have nowhere to go once the skatepark closed.
Opponents of the plan said Cowley Marsh Park was the wrong location, would be noisy, would add to traffic and parking problems and would mean a loss of green space.
A total of 120 letters were received in support of the proposal and 28 opposed it. More than 40 people turned out on Wednesday, April 2, to hear Cowley area committee's recommendation.
At one point two opposing petitions were circulating in Cowley Marsh and both sides have questioned the statistics used by the others.
A spokesman for the city council said: "The Cowley Marsh skatepark application has attracted a great deal of support and opposition locally.
"The local planning authority does not wish the application to become a party political or election issue and consequently we consider it appropriate to defer the decision until after the local elections on May 1."
8:10am Saturday 12th April 2008
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CommentPosted by: resident, cowley marsh on 12:51pm Sat 12 Apr 08
well done Jack it is good to see that people like you cares about young people but cllr Malik is bullying people near the marsh park by forceing them to sign petition and trying to keep young people out,it is realy shame for this cllr who should be voted out this time, so the youth can have their skatepark.
well done Jack it is good to see that people like you cares about young people but cllr Malik is bullying people near the marsh park by forceing them to sign petition and trying to keep young people out,it is realy shame for this cllr who should be voted out this time, so the youth can have their skatepark.
Posted by: Resident, Cowley Marsh, Cowley Marsh on 1:30pm Sat 12 Apr 08
Cllr Malik is NOT bullying people to sign a petition against a skate park in Cowley Marsh. Many local residents are against a skate park on Cowley Marsh because we believe it is the wrong place for a skate park, not because we are against young people.
Cllr Malik is NOT bullying people to sign a petition against a skate park in Cowley Marsh. Many local residents are against a skate park on Cowley Marsh because we believe it is the wrong place for a skate park, not because we are against young people.
Posted by: Tony Brett, Oxford on 2:46pm Sat 12 Apr 08
I went canvassing in the Leafield Road area last night and the VAST majority of residents are in favour although they were all quite embarrassed to say so until they realised that I too am in favour and live about 50 yards from the park. I don't know if that signifies that any bullying has been going on or not. One or two mentioned a concrete monstrosity and I certainly haven't seen that in any official literature about this. Maybe someone has been scaremongering?
Whoever the first poster here is I'm with you all the way.
I went canvassing in the Leafield Road area last night and the VAST majority of residents are in favour although they were all quite embarrassed to say so until they realised that I too am in favour and live about 50 yards from the park. I don't know if that signifies that any bullying has been going on or not. One or two mentioned a concrete monstrosity and I certainly haven't seen that in any official literature about this. Maybe someone has been scaremongering?
Whoever the first poster here is I'm with you all the way.
Posted by: David, Headington on 8:17pm Sat 12 Apr 08
Any facility that keeps youngsters occupied must be excellent news.
How can people be against it?
It would have to be managed correctly and any untoward behaviour nipped in the bud.
I can only assume that it will be managed?
The normal gathering point; drink and drugs come to mind but it can be controlled.
[bold]Good luck Jack, Tony and Resident. You deserve it.[/bold]
Lets get this project off the ground with no more shilly shallying!!!!!!!
Any facility that keeps youngsters occupied must be excellent news.
How can people be against it?
It would have to be managed correctly and any untoward behaviour nipped in the bud.
I can only assume that it will be managed?
The normal gathering point; drink and drugs come to mind but it can be controlled.
Good luck Jack, Tony and Resident. You deserve it.
Lets get this project off the ground with no more shilly shallying!!!!!!!
Posted by: David, Headington on 8:44pm Sat 12 Apr 08
[quote][bold]David[/bold] wrote:
Any facility that keeps youngsters occupied must be excellent news. How can people be against it? It would have to be managed correctly and any untoward behaviour nipped in the bud. I can only assume that it will be managed? The normal gathering point; drink and drugs come to mind but it can be controlled. [bold]Good luck Jack, Tony and Resident. You deserve it.[/bold] Lets get this project off the ground with no more shilly shallying!!!!!!![/quote] Tony,
I have noted your comments in the letters section which support my comments and thoughts above; reference the management of the scheme.
Once again, good luck in your efforts.
David wrote:
Any facility that keeps youngsters occupied must be excellent news. How can people be against it? It would have to be managed correctly and any untoward behaviour nipped in the bud. I can only assume that it will be managed? The normal gathering point; drink and drugs come to mind but it can be controlled. Good luck Jack, Tony and Resident. You deserve it. Lets get this project off the ground with no more shilly shallying!!!!!!!
Tony,
I have noted your comments in the letters section which support my comments and thoughts above; reference the management of the scheme.
Once again, good luck in your efforts.
Posted by: Crescent Road resident, Temple Cowley on 11:41am Mon 14 Apr 08
As local residents, we appreciate and value Cowley Marsh Park as one of the last bigger open spaces left for residents of Oxford to enjoy it.
We are not against skate parks, young people but we think the proposed skate park in Cowley Marsh is the wrong place for several reasons: loss of open space, noise, flood, traffic, scale of the size of the park, etc. We have been to the Meadow Lane SP, Abingdon SP and we have extensive research of skate parks around the country. Sucessfull skate park are usually place in non residential areas and with the facilities kids needs.
Local residents have collect more than 300 signatures against the proposed skate park.
The mayority of the people who are in favour the proposed skate park in CM haven't seen the plans and even they haven't been in the park. They signed for skate park in Oxford doesn't matter where.
As local residents, we appreciate and value Cowley Marsh Park as one of the last bigger open spaces left for residents of Oxford to enjoy it.
We are not against skate parks, young people but we think the proposed skate park in Cowley Marsh is the wrong place for several reasons: loss of open space, noise, flood, traffic, scale of the size of the park, etc. We have been to the Meadow Lane SP, Abingdon SP and we have extensive research of skate parks around the country. Sucessfull skate park are usually place in non residential areas and with the facilities kids needs.
Local residents have collect more than 300 signatures against the proposed skate park.
The mayority of the people who are in favour the proposed skate park in CM haven't seen the plans and even they haven't been in the park. They signed for skate park in Oxford doesn't matter where.
Posted by: saj malik, oxford on 11:58pm Mon 14 Apr 08
where was tony brett when cowley area committee was discussing skate park?acording to oxford mail 40 people turn up at the meeting perheps sad brett was hiding under the table rather supporting the skaters i hope skaters and residents remember that,[bold]bold[/bold]
where was tony brett when cowley area committee was discussing skate park?acording to oxford mail 40 people turn up at the meeting perheps sad brett was hiding under the table rather supporting the skaters i hope skaters and residents remember that,
Posted by: saj malik, oxford on 12:03am Tue 15 Apr 08
also tony brett says what was wrong with old play area at marsh park?well it was old and rusty. he says he lives about 50meters from the park and how many time he has walked 50meters?to look round the corner[bold]bold[/bold] thats how much he is intouch.
also tony brett says what was wrong with old play area at marsh park?well it was old and rusty. he says he lives about 50meters from the park and how many time he has walked 50meters?to look round the corner thats how much he is intouch.
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