Community divided as plans for skate park extension opposed

Plans for improving the skate park at Anchorage Lane in Sprotbrough include installing floodlighting and putting in new equipment such as a 12ft-high halfpipe for skateboarders to perform tricks on.

The proposals have the support of South Yorkshire Police, the youth service and other individuals including a local headteacher and scout leader, who say the skate park currently reduces anti-social behaviour in the area by giving young people something to do.

However, a 61-name petition has also been submitted opposing the plans and the local parish council is weighing in with its objections.

A decision is due to be made at a Doncaster Council planning meeting at 2pm after an earlier decision was delayed due to the weight of public opinion.

Sprotborough Community Beat Manager for South Yorkshire Police, Pc

Lynne Walker, said: "There are no other clubs or venues within the locality and therefore little else in the area to provide any worthwhile activity.

"The skate park is very well attended during the summer months. It provides healthy, worthwhile activity and is also a social networking facility, all of which are important for young people and the community as a whole.

"The provision of the skate park has seen anti-social behaviour decrease somewhat, and I feel that if this facility was not available the instances of nuisance behaviour would be much more widespread."

Graham Hunt, from the 28th Doncaster St Edmunds scout group, added: "Since the park was built in 2005 we have not had any trouble with the hooligans that used to hang around the scout hut, banging on the door and harassing the cubs and scouts. It has been a blessing."

Other letters of support have come from youth worker Tracy McAteer and Jill Foster, headteacher at Richmond Hill Primary School.

However, objectors claim that extending the skate park will increase anti-social behaviour and attract traffic.

Other potential problems, opponents say, include a possible increase in flood risk and the brightness of the new floodlights. Three objectors have written letters to Doncaster Council, while Sprotbrough and Cusworth Parish Council has also submitted a petition.

A parish council spokesman said: "Residents have raised numerous concerns, including instances of regular anti-social behaviour, particularly at weekends and late at night, which included vandalism to both the skate park and residential properties and vehicles.

"Specific problems on the skate park have included fire setting, underage drinking, loud noises from cars and stereos, evidence of drug dealing and instances of people urinating in public view."

Town planners, however, have given the project their backing and say the application should be approved when it is considered by councillors.

The planners said: "Even without the extension to the skate park, anti-social behaviour is clearly an issue at this site and should be addressed separately.

"Refusing this application is not going to stop the current problems nor is there any evidence to suggest that anti-social behaviour will increase as a result of the extension. There is a possibility that the increased use of the skate park along with improvements to the facilities, such as lighting, could even reduce anti-social behaviour."

The planners' report adds: "The equipment within the skate park is reasonable in its height and size and would not cause harm to the aesthetics of the area. There is also no significant detriment to local residents or local roads."