Flackwell Heath residents 'devastated' as skate park demolition starts

7:30am Friday 8th March 2013 in News By Andy Carswell

Work has started on demolition work at Flackwell Heath skate park Work has started on demolition work at Flackwell Heath skate park

THE bulldozers moved in this week as work to demolish Flackwell Heath's skate park started.

Pleas to Chepping Wycombe Parish Council to reconsider their plans to get rid of the popular play area fell on deaf ears as demolition work started on Monday.

A campaign to save the park led to 1,100 signatures being collected on a petition, while 500 people joined a Facebook page set up to fight the plans.

Delays to the removal of the skate park gave hope to campaigners that it could be saved, but their efforts were dashed as work began this week.

Mum-of-two Natalie Allen, who fought to save the park, said: "Everyone is completely devastated. In half term we had a couple of nice days and there were loads of kids using the skate park.

"We were told last month it could be kept until after Easter but it's gone now.

"Some people have spoken to the people doing the week and they don't want to be doing it. They're paid to do a job, it's not their fault."

She added: "It's a family orientated area - families move to this area for the schools and the amenities.

"Most kids have scooters or bikes but in Flackwell Heath the roads aren't safe to use."

Chepping Wycombe Parish Council say the ramps are too close to residents’ houses and do not meet the relevant noise guidelines.

Comments(29)

Namaste78 says...
8:12am Fri 8 Mar 13

What a great shame for the youngsters who enjoyed this skating area.
A complete waste of money too, money to build the area and now money to demolish it ..... It has brought a lot of enjoyment to many and it prevented kids from hanging on streets or around the shopping area in the village.
For years, even when I lived in the area over 20 years ago, many children "hung" around te park and residents who had homes which backed onto the park were constantly complaining about the noise pollution ..... However, this park has been here for many many years, the play area too. Is it not to be expected when buying a home near a public park that there may well be noise issues as children use this area? I suppose it could be likened to people complaining about parents being inconsiderate to residents who live close to primary schools?? A little consideration prior to the purchase of a house perhaps?
I know that children are around into the later hours however at least they are contained in one area which can be monitored rather than them hanging about in not so great areas and being even less inconsiderate themselves.
Come off it .... We were all young once ....
Bottom line .... Now where will the children in the area hang out?

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Robert.M says...
8:19am Fri 8 Mar 13

Good, these kids should be doing something usefull, the council now can use that land to build more homes for benefit claiming immigrants.
This council is nothing more than a bloody joke, these same councillers will soon be moaning about kids skateboarding on the pavements, but never mind as long as the bloody benefit leeches are looked after

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Les Clarke Depreciation Society says...
9:02am Fri 8 Mar 13

Well doing Chepping Wycombe Parish Council......you really are a bunch of narrow minded clowns.

When the local kids start getting bored and causing aggro in the village, you'll only have yourselves to blame.

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Namaste78 says...
9:04am Fri 8 Mar 13

Robert M .... Thumbs up and well said.

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Dave2013 says...
9:34am Fri 8 Mar 13

This is a great shame and a huge waste of money but let’s consider whose fault this is. The site of the skate park was chosen but the Flackwell Heath Residents Association and then endorsed by the Parish Council. They could have put it virtually anywhere on the Rec but for some bizarre reason the FHRA thought that the best location should be 10m from a residential property. They did not ask for any advice from planning experts at Wycombe and did not do an impact assessment, plus they were dismissive of residents who pointed out the obvious, ie that having gatherings of youths next to houses would be distressing for those that live there. How stupid was that. It is not the residents’ fault that the FHRA and PC have been incompetent. The PC is now trying to do the right thing with their plans to renew and enhance play facilities in and around Flackwell Heath. Hopefully those people and the FHRA who campaigned to save what was always a doomed facility will now use their energies to help the PC to create something better for the community.

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frackellgirl says...
10:06am Fri 8 Mar 13

I agree completely with the comments of Namaste78.The destruction of this popular skate-park leaves the kids with nowhere to play safely with their scooters, skateboards and BMX bikes, The police have already started moving the kids on when trying to play in other places. All very predictable! I am disgusted that the Parish Council have kowtowed to the few complainants against the wishes of the many people who signed the petitions to keep the skate-park and also against those who registered their opposition on face-book.
The noise survey mentioned was skewed on the day it was carried out by screaming from some girls (their latest craze apparently) and was nothing to do with the kids using the skate-park.

The Parish Council have now sent a questionnaire round stating that they want to "refurbish" the play area for the younger children.

BE VERY AFRAID.

This is exactly what happened to the skate-park site. The Parish Council decided to improve the skate-park which triggered the complaints which led to it's destruction. The "guidelines" (and only guidelines, not law) re: distance from property could equally well apply to the play area. Complaints have been made about the play area and, indeed, about the public conveniences. This play area could go the same way as the skate-park if the complainants have their way again. While I agree that this area does need updating (I'm sure that horse is the one placed there in 1953!) it is far more urgent to provide a BMX/skateboard area for the older kids.
My suggestion for a place to locate this facility is in the middle of the playing field. I appreciate this will interfere with the football pitch and we are very lucky in Flackwell Heath to have many dedicated people who run the youngsters' football teams. However, it seems to me that we are well provided with football pitches in the village. There are several at the Green Dragon site and surely more use could be made of Wilks Park football ground?
I appreciate that the annual Cherry Fair use the centre of the field as an arena but surely somebody could design a BMX facility, "L" shaped perhaps, to preserve as much of the arena area as possilble?
There has to be some give and take in this situation.
There should also be a small scooter-park area for the younger children to ride their scooters on. Oh I forgot we already had one didn't we? I have already seen young children riding scooters in the play area with the dangers of being hit by swings and colliding with the children on the other play equipment. Scooters seem to have been the most popular Christmas present judging by the numbers proudly displayed in the weeks after. I'm sure many parents and kids were looking forward to playing on their scooters on the skate-park. There were certainly lots of children playing there during the half-term.

Surely, if the Parish Council are sincere in stating that they want to provide BMX/skate-board facilities for the older kids they could have left the existing one in place until they had provided a new one.
If the play area goes the way of the skate-park we will be left with an empty piece of highly desirable land in the centre of a sought after village which might as well be (over) developed like the rest of Flackwell Heath.

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BOOKERite says...
11:02am Fri 8 Mar 13

1,000 people signed a petition and the Council completely ignored it. Whatever happend to DEMOCRACY ?

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sam7812 says...
12:31pm Fri 8 Mar 13

The "petition" was presented in such a way that it looked like all the playground equipment was under threat. It isn't. That rumour is untrue. I agree the skate park in town is really good. This one was a poor imitation and caused a lot of problems. Those responsible for it - FHRA- have wasted a lot of money and this whole situation has been very bad news for the village all round.

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Marmite XO says...
12:32pm Fri 8 Mar 13

Let's hope this halts the anti social behaviour that has blighted the residents who live near this young offenders playground - I mean skate park.

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sam7812 says...
12:48pm Fri 8 Mar 13

I live by it and some nice kids used the skate park. But it was rubbish, and it's not their fault it's been a disaster. I just hope FHRA switch their brains on next time they have a big idea to "improve" the village.

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Thamed says...
12:54pm Fri 8 Mar 13

WHy didn't they put it the park at the end of Chapman Lane. Ok it is a cricket ground but it is always empty, and, at least the kids would have been out of the way a bit and away from the main road

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frackellgirl says...
2:30pm Fri 8 Mar 13

Re: sam7812's comments that the petition " was presented in such a way that it looked like all the playground equipment was under threat"
There were two petitions and the one which received 813 signatures stated at the top:-

"It has been decided at a Parish Council meeting that the skate-park area in the playing field, Straight Bit, should be removed and grassed over.
If you disagree with this proposal please sign below"

Which part of this statement confused you?

It is not just a rumour that complaints have been made against the playground equipment in the play area.
Ask the chairman of the Parish Council.
It is sad when people denigrate those who have worked hard to save these facilities for the young people of this village. I agree they were not fantastic but it was all they had. Now they have lost this modest skate-park I hope the complainants are satisfied.

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frackellgirl says...
3:02pm Fri 8 Mar 13

Re: Marmites' comments re anti-social behavour. When this subject was debated last year the police were unable to substantiate the alleged level of ASB leaving many people wondering if this was exaggerated by certain people for their own ends and to justify their case for destroying the skate-park.

And YES I do live in the vicinity of the playing field.

It is good to see some people, like sam7812 saying that some nice kids used the skate-park. There was some vile language used to describe the children of Flackwell Heath when this subject was first mentioned last year. Why has nobody else come forward with ideas for a new skate-park. Much better than just slagging the kids off all the time.

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Dave2013 says...
3:31pm Fri 8 Mar 13

Hello Frackellgirl. You know very well that the playground is not, and never has been under threat. You and marmite are the only ones who have mentioned ASB (you comment about screaming girls) and the facilities have not been removed because of ASB. They have been removed because they are 10m away from a house. That means when the facilities are used the noise generated by the youths breaches allowable levels. It is very sad but all the petitions in the world are not going to change that. This has all been explained in detail to you. Finally, you live approximately a quarter mile from the Rec and therefore have no idea what those who live next to it have had to endure. The people who have let down the youths are firstly the Flackwell Heath Residents Association, for putting the equipment in such a daft location, and then the Parish Council for letting them. I repeat it is neither the youths’ or the residents’ fault that the FHRA and PC have been so useless.

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frackellgirl says...
3:57pm Fri 8 Mar 13

Dear Dave
Sorry to disappoint you but I live a matter of yards from the playing field not a quarter of a mile away. I can see the entrance to the playing field from my bedroom window.
You must be confusing me with someone else.
ASB was mentioned a lot last year to justify removal of the skate-park facilities although this seemed to tail off when the police were pressed to confirm these allegations. Funny that.

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sam7812 says...
4:22pm Fri 8 Mar 13

Yes, ASB has been an issue. If you live only yards away you know exactly the sort of stuff that has gone on. At the end of the day though that is a police matter and is irrelevant when deciding where to put skate parks. The reason it's gone is because the location was wrong and noise from the equipment is over acceptable guidelines. I think even FHRA get this now !!!!!!

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frackellgirl says...
5:31pm Fri 8 Mar 13

The police were being called regularly when the boys were only playing normally on the skate-park.
It usually happened around about 5 o'clock when a certain person presumably arrived home after work.
The boys would be turfed off by the police and told to play "elsewhere".

What a message to give young kids that they are not wanted. I have spoken to some of them and they have been polite and well-mannered. Sam is right that the ASB is a police issue and nothing to do with the skate-park

Now the boys will be playing outside Budgens and in the street and that won't suit a lot of people.

I still think it was nasty and vindictive to do away with the skate-park before other facilities were put in place but then I am very sceptical about whether this will ever happen.

Has anybody else got any ideas on any other suitable sites in the village for the new skate-park? Do the Parish Council have the money to pay for these new facilities? No-one seems to have any suggestions after the failed attempt to purchase Oakwood. In any case the boys do not want a BMX "trail". This was tried in Fennels Wood and was OK while the ground was hard but with all the rain we had last year it soon descended into a mud patch and once the tyres on the bikes were caked in mud it was impossible to control the bikes.

The best place for this skate/BMX park is in the playing field which is already designated as a playing area. It is in the centre of the village. It is visible from the main road so anyone passing by can see what's going on. It is within walking distance of the schools in the village so parents can take their kids there after school and socialise with other parents.

The playing field is not an arty-**** "park" as many people insist on calling it and people who choose to live close to it should realise the difference between a park and a playing field.

.

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Dave2013 says...
6:10pm Fri 8 Mar 13

Hello Frackellgirl. Are you sure you can see the Rec? You must be the only person who has an interest in this who believes that there was no ASB.
Of course you are right. Our community police team are well renowned for bullying well mannered children in playgrounds. I think it is a jealousy thing. What nice jobs people have that get home from work about 5pm. I’d like one of those.
This is all an irrelevance. You are now free to get the final word.

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Thamed says...
9:21pm Fri 8 Mar 13

Frackellgirl and Dave..instead of butting heads here, why don't u spend time suggesting new sites for da nu yoof offendas playground, innit? Look on google satellite and see how many empty fields surround FH. Surely there must be a nice farmer that could sell a bit of land or maybe the golf club could give up some for the community!! U could always petition the village Arab millionaire to see if he can sheik things up !!

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frackellgirl says...
9:41am Sat 9 Mar 13

Hi Dave
I have never said there was no asb, but I believe it has been greatly exaggerated. One complaint was found to be a complete lie. If you knew the name of the accused you would chuckle as much as I did.

That's enough on that subject. I would be really interested In hearing your comments re. My suggestion of siting the new BMX facilities In the centre of the playing field. I have a feeling that the complainants, and I believe you are one, do not want these facilities anywhere on "their" "park".
I would welcome any constructive criticism or any better ideas if anyone can think of any.

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frackellgirl says...
10:12am Sun 10 Mar 13

Re: Thamed's suggestion of asking a farmer to sell some land for the BMX/skate-park facilities I would point out that the majority of the land around Flackwell Heath is not owned by the farmers but leased from landowners such as Lord Carrington. Most of it is, I'm sure, in the green belt so getting permission to put anything on it would be a problem.
The golf club idea is also a no-goer. The residents who live close to it would rise up in arms to prevent it. Also the houses there suffer damage to roofs and windows from flying golf balls so the mix of children and golf balls is not a good idea and, in any case, the Golf Club was there first. Well done anyway Thamed for at least making some suggestions.
I notice the dead silence from people like Dave and Sam re. my suggestion of putting the new facilities in the middle of the playing field. It seems that they would not be happy with this even if it complied with the "guidelines" they keep on about.
People should be very wary about filling in the yellow form from the Parish Council about the "refurbishment" of the other play equipment. I expect a lot of people would like to see modern, wooden "adventure playground" type climbing equipment with attached netting as in many other playgrounds nowadays.
I bet the people who complained about the skate-park will object to any modernising and upgrading of this area. It would be better to leave it as it is rather than risk losing that as well.

On a completely different point I notice that a couple of houses for sale close to the playing field are advertised as being "close to a park". The owners of these properties would be well advised to make sure that the estate agents call this land by it's correct name of "playing field" so that any prospective purchasers are under no delusions. They will be aware from the outset that this land is designated for playing in and is not a prim and prissy "park".

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Thamed says...
11:18am Sun 10 Mar 13

Thanks for correcting me Frackellgirl, you seem very well informed. Why not open a youth centre for the kids far away from the village centre but close enough for them to walk to and then they can make as much noise as they want INSIDE and not bover anyone??

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sam7812 says...
2:46pm Sun 10 Mar 13

Frackellgirl, your negative suspicions are unfounded. Residents support the PC's planned improvements to the park. Or whatever you want to call the space where the swings and slides are ! Adventure playground etc. great. As for a skate/BMX facility, if it complies with planning guidelines in the middle of the rec then residents will have no legitimate objections. We always pointed out to FHRA there were other places on the rec not 10m from a house. Good luck with the PC with that anyway. Bye now.

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frackellgirl says...
12:11pm Mon 11 Mar 13

I have been informed that some of the boys deprived of their skate-park are now playing on the old Railko site in Loudwater.
There have been not been any complaints yet but the factory that used to be on this site produced asbestos plastics bearings and brake linings and is said to be contaminated with asbestos.

If you are a parent of any of these boys please warn them against playing there as there may be serious consequences for their health in the future.

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frackellgirl says...
1:07pm Mon 11 Mar 13

I visited my daughter and family yesterday who live in Buckingham, a small town in North Bucks.
She informs me that there are seven YES SEVEN! playground areas within walking distance or a short drive from where she lives. All bar one have been upgraded recently with all the latest play equipment.

I appreciate that Buckingham town is a bit bigger that Flackwell Heath but isn't it disgusting that in a supposedly well-off area like this our kids are reduced to using an area contaminated with asbestos to play in?

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frackellgirl says...
2:20pm Mon 11 Mar 13

P.S. I forgot to mention the excellent dedicated BMX facility a stone's throw from the High Street in Buckinghham

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Thamed says...
2:38pm Mon 11 Mar 13

Why don't the bmx-ers use Fennels Wood like years ago...things were simple then kids made their own fun and weren't pampered

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frackellgirl says...
4:28pm Mon 11 Mar 13

I have just read the news that the Parish Council are providing a new BMX facility at Kings Wood High Wycombe.

What about the kids of Flackwell Heath?. Are they to be expected to ride their bikes for several miles, negotiating the dreadful A40 to use this facility.

It's lucky for the kids who live near Kings Wood. Meanwhile some of our kids are using the old Railko site in Loudwater to play on which is contaminated with asbestos.

To all parents - please tell your kids not to play on this site to avoid future health problems.

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flacker says...
4:34pm Mon 11 Mar 13

Let's be realistic here: good riddance to the 10 square feet of concrete pointlessness that passed for a so-called "skate area".

I would object strongly to situating a new BMX facility in the middle of the park. The park is a village-wide resource that's used for more than just entertaining some bored kids with no imaginations. You'd jeopardise a useful open space, the many inter-school football matches and the Cherry Faire all for spoon-feeding a play area to handful of kids? Flackwell Heath just isn't big enough to support a dedicated BMX park for the local kids - especially not the rec.

For what it's worth I complete agree with Dave: the fault here lies totally with the FHRA and PC who wasted our money building this joke of a facility in the first place without due diligence or care.

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