Poole skate park plan back on track

PLANS to open an indoor skate park in Poole appear to be back on track despite a last-minute hitch threatening to derail the whole project.

Tony Hill, the man behind the scheme, hit problems earlier this year when the original site he found at Kinson Industrial Estate in Ringwood Road fell through after securing planning permission.

He found new premises 230 metres away on the same estate and a fresh application was recommended for approval by planners.

The change of use is supported by the head of leisure and children’s services.

But shortly before the meeting, the item was pulled from the agenda. Mr Hill says he was told he would have to contribute thousands of pounds towards two new pedestrian crossings and paths.

The news prompted a storm among Mr Hill’s supporters on Facebook, with many baffled as to why the application had been allowed at the other site without any such conditions.

Ward councillor Brian Clements said: “It was so last minute. It should be a fantastic facility for local young people and it would be super to get it off the ground.”

Mr Hill, now in partnership with his brother Steven, sold his family home to finance his dream. Both men have been hard at work in the new premises.

Related links

“The only thing I had to do on the other site was cut steps into the bank. I’m just a private individual and I have put all my money into this,” he said.

Richard Genge, planning and regeneration manager at Poole Council, said: “Considering the age of potential skate park users and the proposed location of the indoor skate park, concerns were raised about the safety of pedestrians crossing this busy section of the road.

“We are currently in discussions with the applicant about how these concerns can best be addressed.

“We have asked the applicant to contribute towards the cost of a pedestrian refuge to make it safer for people to cross and we understand he has already agreed in principle to this. We have not asked for zebra or light controlled crossing.”

Should planning permission be given, Mr Hill will have to pay £9,500 towards a safer crossing before he can open the first phase of the park.

Comments(9)

Telscombe Cliffy says...
5:08pm Sat 27 Oct 12

I'm sure I just read this

Old Colonial says...
5:29pm Sat 27 Oct 12

This is basically 'brown envelope' decision making, but without the envelope! Can't say the planners aren't transparent in their dealings.

Morrigan says...
7:53pm Sat 27 Oct 12

So much for trying to get kids away from computers and off their backsides moving around to become healthier - Poole Council set up Petanque pitches all over the Borough for a handful of middle aged and elderly users, yet won't finance a crossing to help youngsters.

BOP you are a disgrace ....... try cutting down on the amount of useless "jollies" you all seem to go on and use the money for a crossing instead!!

oneshortleg says...
8:08am Sun 28 Oct 12

I was more than a little confused whilst reading this story as to why Poole Council were making decisions on a planning application in a Bournemouth council ward.

A little investigation was needed lets call it amateur investigative journalism!

"Tony Hill, the man behind the scheme, hit problems earlier this year when the original site he found at Kinson Industrial Estate in Ringwood Road fell through after securing planning permission.

He found new premises 230 metres away on the same estate and a fresh application was recommended for approval by planners."

The previous planning application relates to the old Lucas building on the West Howe Industrial Estate in Ringwood Road, Bournemouth. The new planning application for an indoor skate park is proposed on Newton Business Park, Ringwood Road, Poole and not 230 metres away from the previous site!

This is quite basic research that even I a mere mortal can do, without a degree or any experience of reporting!

I would like see some effort made by a reporter to investigate why Bournemouth Council said "No" and Poole Council said "Yes" to this planning application based on a similar venue on a similar site.

Sadly Bournemouth Council has yet again failed to see the bigger picture. The potential to reduce anti-social behaviour, an indoor attraction and in addition financial help towards road crossings.

It would appear that Bournemouth Council has given away all of this to Poole Council on a plate!

Now that’s a story!!!

Roband65 says...
9:41am Sun 28 Oct 12

Dont worry about the safety of the kids getting there just steam roller it through planning !

rugby_dave says...
11:14am Mon 29 Oct 12

oneshortleg wrote:
I was more than a little confused whilst reading this story as to why Poole Council were making decisions on a planning application in a Bournemouth council ward.

A little investigation was needed lets call it amateur investigative journalism!

"Tony Hill, the man behind the scheme, hit problems earlier this year when the original site he found at Kinson Industrial Estate in Ringwood Road fell through after securing planning permission.

He found new premises 230 metres away on the same estate and a fresh application was recommended for approval by planners."

The previous planning application relates to the old Lucas building on the West Howe Industrial Estate in Ringwood Road, Bournemouth. The new planning application for an indoor skate park is proposed on Newton Business Park, Ringwood Road, Poole and not 230 metres away from the previous site!

This is quite basic research that even I a mere mortal can do, without a degree or any experience of reporting!

I would like see some effort made by a reporter to investigate why Bournemouth Council said "No" and Poole Council said "Yes" to this planning application based on a similar venue on a similar site.

Sadly Bournemouth Council has yet again failed to see the bigger picture. The potential to reduce anti-social behaviour, an indoor attraction and in addition financial help towards road crossings.

It would appear that Bournemouth Council has given away all of this to Poole Council on a plate!

Now that’s a story!!!
It is well within Poole! its on the Kinson Pottery Estate, Ringwood Rd by Seaview, not Newtown (Spelling) Business Park or West Howe Industrial Estate! You amateur ingestigative jouralism almost as bad as the echo!

chicken_madras says...
11:16am Mon 29 Oct 12

oneshortleg wrote:
I was more than a little confused whilst reading this story as to why Poole Council were making decisions on a planning application in a Bournemouth council ward. A little investigation was needed lets call it amateur investigative journalism! "Tony Hill, the man behind the scheme, hit problems earlier this year when the original site he found at Kinson Industrial Estate in Ringwood Road fell through after securing planning permission. He found new premises 230 metres away on the same estate and a fresh application was recommended for approval by planners." The previous planning application relates to the old Lucas building on the West Howe Industrial Estate in Ringwood Road, Bournemouth. The new planning application for an indoor skate park is proposed on Newton Business Park, Ringwood Road, Poole and not 230 metres away from the previous site! This is quite basic research that even I a mere mortal can do, without a degree or any experience of reporting! I would like see some effort made by a reporter to investigate why Bournemouth Council said "No" and Poole Council said "Yes" to this planning application based on a similar venue on a similar site. Sadly Bournemouth Council has yet again failed to see the bigger picture. The potential to reduce anti-social behaviour, an indoor attraction and in addition financial help towards road crossings. It would appear that Bournemouth Council has given away all of this to Poole Council on a plate! Now that’s a story!!!
you are completely wrong, so maybe you need to do research.

They originally had a site on the same Ringwood Road approved, however a big bank bought up the site from under their noses.

They then found this new site 230 meteres down the road.

Roband65 says...
6:55pm Thu 1 Nov 12

And your completely wrong the unit was not bought by a big bank it is still owned by superbuys dont make things up !

valo4life says...
5:28pm Sat 3 Nov 12

Actually your all right in a way, yest at first it was near newtown (comes under bournemouth) they said no straight away,Then it was in poole who said yes but then the bank came along and said they own the building as the landlord didn't pay his bills TUT TUT! now its about 100yards away from the second site in poole and the council seem to be putting a brick wall up at ever corner :-/

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree