Angry parents and kids protest over skate park axe

9:20am Monday 9th July 2012 in Crime By James Nadal

Angry parents and kids protest over skate park axe Angry parents and kids protest over skate park axe

INCENSED mums gathered to bolster their rapidly growing campaign to save a popular skate park from the axe.

The ranks of the Save Flackwell Heath Park movement have been swelling by the day after a Facebook protest was launched.

Dozens of parents and children met at the Cherry Fayre yesterday to vent their feelings.

Hundreds have signed up to the web campaign while petitions have attracted similar numbers.

Angry mothers launched the demonstration after it emerged the skateboard ramps, fitted eight years ago thanks to a £16,000 community fundraising project, could be removed.

The move by Chepping Wycombe Parish Council has shocked residents after the authority earlier this year said it was looking to replace the skateboard equipment at the Straight Bit site with new BMX ramps.

Councillors say a new site will be found and insisted there had been too many complaints about noise and anti-social behaviour to do nothing.

But grandmother-of-six Janet Chadbone, who was gathering names at The Cherry Fayre yesterday on her petition, was outraged by the possible scrapping of the skate ramps.

The Straight Bit resident said: “The majority of people seemed to be incensed that these complaints may force the removal of a play area that has been paid for by the community.”

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Mum of two Natalie, also of Straight Bit, said: “We're very upset with out local council on lots of levels. We've been told there's no money in the pot for our village for speed signs or crossings that we've asked for, yet there is to remove something we want to stay.

“Rather than taking this out which we've paid for they should be spending money improving the other facilities which have been here for years.

“Over 900 children go to primary schools five minutes from here. My children mix with others from different schools so it's very important on a social level, and also for the exercise.

On the youngsters using the rec, she said: “They're not hooligans and we, the parents, are down here with them.”

She added: “It's a vital community meeting point. It's an issue about noise levels, police have come out and said there isn't.”

The village's MP Dominic Grieve told the BFP he has been inundated with letters on the subject, from residents opposing the change, but also from a gentleman who is unhappy about the impact the skate facilities have on his life.

Mr Grieve said: “I understand local people's concerns about losing the skate park, I understand also there's somebody who feels it's improperly sited. I'm not going to comment on that, I'm in no position to make a judgement on that at all.

“I hope this can come to a satisfactory outcome. Obviously if the facility is lost completely I can understand that would be very disappointing for many people in Flackwell Heath.”

Council chairman Jeff Herschel has said: "The council agreed that the do nothing option is not a go’er. Now it’s being used by BMX bikes it’s too small. It needs to be bigger and better.

"The council is concerned about noise and anti-social behaviour and that obviously has some bearing on the speed in which we move forward. There have been too many complaints."

Councillor Dave Johncock is supporting the protest.

Flackwell Heath Residents’ Association has written to the council with its concerns and called for a full public consultation.

Comments (16)

9:55am Mon 9 Jul 12

miccles says...

Well done to you all, keep up the protesting, and lets hope you get what you want.
Well done to you all, keep up the protesting, and lets hope you get what you want. miccles

10:25am Mon 9 Jul 12

hm1 says...

This is one of the reasons I left my job in the public sector. I feel sorry for the one person who has a problem with the park, but the overwhelming support for it has to count for something. The hours and hours I wasted mitigating such disputes, writing letters, talking to MPs (who also had better stuff to do with their time) and sending officers out over and over to nonsense issues used to make my blood boil. save the time, energy and money these campaigns cost and make a common sense decision. Let it stay.
This is one of the reasons I left my job in the public sector. I feel sorry for the one person who has a problem with the park, but the overwhelming support for it has to count for something. The hours and hours I wasted mitigating such disputes, writing letters, talking to MPs (who also had better stuff to do with their time) and sending officers out over and over to nonsense issues used to make my blood boil. save the time, energy and money these campaigns cost and make a common sense decision. Let it stay. hm1

10:40am Mon 9 Jul 12

Gerry47 says...

Surely though, even if the skate park (which is quite small really) is removed, the rest of the park is going to remain and therefore so are any alleged noise issues.
Would the person complaining like the whole park closed down.

Why do people buy a house adjacent to a public park and then complain about the noise from people using said park ?
Surely though, even if the skate park (which is quite small really) is removed, the rest of the park is going to remain and therefore so are any alleged noise issues. Would the person complaining like the whole park closed down. Why do people buy a house adjacent to a public park and then complain about the noise from people using said park ? Gerry47

12:22pm Mon 9 Jul 12

BOOKERite says...

Gerry47 wrote:
Surely though, even if the skate park (which is quite small really) is removed, the rest of the park is going to remain and therefore so are any alleged noise issues.
Would the person complaining like the whole park closed down.

Why do people buy a house adjacent to a public park and then complain about the noise from people using said park ?
I am sure that if WDC think logically about this problem they will be able to come up with a solution to suit everyone. But the children's needs are very important. Everyone complains that children watch too much TV or sit at their computers and do not play outside enough and yet here is a facility that is threatened with being closed down.
.
Build noise barriers or whatever you have to do to consider the neighbours, but do not close it down.
[quote][p][bold]Gerry47[/bold] wrote: Surely though, even if the skate park (which is quite small really) is removed, the rest of the park is going to remain and therefore so are any alleged noise issues. Would the person complaining like the whole park closed down. Why do people buy a house adjacent to a public park and then complain about the noise from people using said park ?[/p][/quote]I am sure that if WDC think logically about this problem they will be able to come up with a solution to suit everyone. But the children's needs are very important. Everyone complains that children watch too much TV or sit at their computers and do not play outside enough and yet here is a facility that is threatened with being closed down. . Build noise barriers or whatever you have to do to consider the neighbours, but do not close it down. BOOKERite

12:30pm Mon 9 Jul 12

wayneo says...

Organise a Parish Referendum:

While not binding, it should concentrate the mind of the Parish Council Chairman.

http://www.planet-th
anet.fsnet.co.uk/par
ish_referendums.htm
Organise a Parish Referendum: While not binding, it should concentrate the mind of the Parish Council Chairman. http://www.planet-th anet.fsnet.co.uk/par ish_referendums.htm wayneo

10:25pm Mon 9 Jul 12

Ivor Medium One says...

The village's MP Dominic Grieve told the BFP he has been inundated with letters on the subject, from residents opposing the change, but also from a gentleman who is unhappy about the impact the skate facilities have on his life.'


I am a bit suspicious of this - it is a classic ploy by kids behaving anti-socially to say that only one adult individual is opposed to them - the facilities at Blind Lane were closed because the same kids were making noise late into the night. Sometimes there IS one individual who just represents themselves and sometimes the individual is articulating the views of a lot of other people and sometimes there is a large number of people and not just one individual.
If there is only one individual are they not entitled to relief from noise while at home or is that unacceptably selfish?
[quote] The village's MP Dominic Grieve told the BFP he has been inundated with letters on the subject, from residents opposing the change, but also from a gentleman who is unhappy about the impact the skate facilities have on his life.'[/quote] I am a bit suspicious of this - it is a classic ploy by kids behaving anti-socially to say that only one adult individual is opposed to them - the facilities at Blind Lane were closed because the same kids were making noise late into the night. Sometimes there IS one individual who just represents themselves and sometimes the individual is articulating the views of a lot of other people and sometimes there is a large number of people and not just one individual. If there is only one individual are they not entitled to relief from noise while at home or is that unacceptably selfish? Ivor Medium One

10:42pm Mon 9 Jul 12

Ivor Medium One says...

What result did the noise survey undertaken at the request of the worried resident come up with?
What result did the noise survey undertaken at the request of the worried resident come up with? Ivor Medium One

8:17am Tue 10 Jul 12

Flackwell says...

whilst Ivor may have a point (are the kids really nosiy), perhaps the solution should be rethought

After all, don't we have council noise abatement teams and theoretically a police force to deal with these matters (when they're not setting up speed cameras or monitoring twitter) ?
whilst Ivor may have a point (are the kids really nosiy), perhaps the solution should be rethought After all, don't we have council noise abatement teams and theoretically a police force to deal with these matters (when they're not setting up speed cameras or monitoring twitter) ? Flackwell

8:33am Tue 10 Jul 12

frackellgirl says...

I would like to point out that several people who live very close to the playing field have signed the petition to retain the skatepark. Please don'think that everyone living in close proximity to the playing field,and I am one, is opposed to children playing there. It is a playing field and not a park. There is a difference, apparently. The question of noise and anti-social behaviour is a police matter and taking away the younger kids play equipment is not going to stop that.
I would like to point out that several people who live very close to the playing field have signed the petition to retain the skatepark. Please don'think that everyone living in close proximity to the playing field,and I am one, is opposed to children playing there. It is a playing field and not a park. There is a difference, apparently. The question of noise and anti-social behaviour is a police matter and taking away the younger kids play equipment is not going to stop that. frackellgirl

10:00am Tue 10 Jul 12

frackellgirl says...

In answer to Gerry's question Yes an objection has also been made about the other play equipment although I understand this has since been withdrawn. There has been play equipment on this playing field since the early 50's and as many people are saying "why buy a property close to a playing field and then moan when it is used for it's proper purpose."
In answer to Gerry's question Yes an objection has also been made about the other play equipment although I understand this has since been withdrawn. There has been play equipment on this playing field since the early 50's and as many people are saying "why buy a property close to a playing field and then moan when it is used for it's proper purpose." frackellgirl

10:21am Tue 10 Jul 12

hm1 says...

Ivor Medium One wrote:
The village's MP Dominic Grieve told the BFP he has been inundated with letters on the subject, from residents opposing the change, but also from a gentleman who is unhappy about the impact the skate facilities have on his life.'


I am a bit suspicious of this - it is a classic ploy by kids behaving anti-socially to say that only one adult individual is opposed to them - the facilities at Blind Lane were closed because the same kids were making noise late into the night. Sometimes there IS one individual who just represents themselves and sometimes the individual is articulating the views of a lot of other people and sometimes there is a large number of people and not just one individual.
If there is only one individual are they not entitled to relief from noise while at home or is that unacceptably selfish?
Isn't it MP Dominic Grieve saying only one adult is opposed to them, rather than the kids? It is easier than ever to complain if you have a problem, and the folks of this area don't usually have a difficulty with that. If people don't act they don't get to complain when nothing is done. You can talk to the council by email, phone, web, text.....they have hotlines and response teams. One person may represent more, they may just represent themselves. If it is just a matter of numbers of folk either for or against that will resolve the issue, then if there are more against they should make themselves known.
[quote][p][bold]Ivor Medium One[/bold] wrote: [quote] The village's MP Dominic Grieve told the BFP he has been inundated with letters on the subject, from residents opposing the change, but also from a gentleman who is unhappy about the impact the skate facilities have on his life.'[/quote] I am a bit suspicious of this - it is a classic ploy by kids behaving anti-socially to say that only one adult individual is opposed to them - the facilities at Blind Lane were closed because the same kids were making noise late into the night. Sometimes there IS one individual who just represents themselves and sometimes the individual is articulating the views of a lot of other people and sometimes there is a large number of people and not just one individual. If there is only one individual are they not entitled to relief from noise while at home or is that unacceptably selfish?[/p][/quote]Isn't it MP Dominic Grieve saying only one adult is opposed to them, rather than the kids? It is easier than ever to complain if you have a problem, and the folks of this area don't usually have a difficulty with that. If people don't act they don't get to complain when nothing is done. You can talk to the council by email, phone, web, text.....they have hotlines and response teams. One person may represent more, they may just represent themselves. If it is just a matter of numbers of folk either for or against that will resolve the issue, then if there are more against they should make themselves known. hm1

12:27pm Tue 10 Jul 12

Ivor Medium One says...

hm1 wrote:
Ivor Medium One wrote:
The village's MP Dominic Grieve told the BFP he has been inundated with letters on the subject, from residents opposing the change, but also from a gentleman who is unhappy about the impact the skate facilities have on his life.'


I am a bit suspicious of this - it is a classic ploy by kids behaving anti-socially to say that only one adult individual is opposed to them - the facilities at Blind Lane were closed because the same kids were making noise late into the night. Sometimes there IS one individual who just represents themselves and sometimes the individual is articulating the views of a lot of other people and sometimes there is a large number of people and not just one individual.
If there is only one individual are they not entitled to relief from noise while at home or is that unacceptably selfish?
Isn't it MP Dominic Grieve saying only one adult is opposed to them, rather than the kids? It is easier than ever to complain if you have a problem, and the folks of this area don't usually have a difficulty with that. If people don't act they don't get to complain when nothing is done. You can talk to the council by email, phone, web, text.....they have hotlines and response teams. One person may represent more, they may just represent themselves. If it is just a matter of numbers of folk either for or against that will resolve the issue, then if there are more against they should make themselves known.
I assumed Dominic Grieve had been told it by kids and as I said it’s a classic ploy by kids behaving anti-socially to say that only one adult individual is opposed to them.

The rest of your post seems to be pointing out all possible points of view.
[quote][p][bold]hm1[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Ivor Medium One[/bold] wrote: [quote] The village's MP Dominic Grieve told the BFP he has been inundated with letters on the subject, from residents opposing the change, but also from a gentleman who is unhappy about the impact the skate facilities have on his life.'[/quote] I am a bit suspicious of this - it is a classic ploy by kids behaving anti-socially to say that only one adult individual is opposed to them - the facilities at Blind Lane were closed because the same kids were making noise late into the night. Sometimes there IS one individual who just represents themselves and sometimes the individual is articulating the views of a lot of other people and sometimes there is a large number of people and not just one individual. If there is only one individual are they not entitled to relief from noise while at home or is that unacceptably selfish?[/p][/quote]Isn't it MP Dominic Grieve saying only one adult is opposed to them, rather than the kids? It is easier than ever to complain if you have a problem, and the folks of this area don't usually have a difficulty with that. If people don't act they don't get to complain when nothing is done. You can talk to the council by email, phone, web, text.....they have hotlines and response teams. One person may represent more, they may just represent themselves. If it is just a matter of numbers of folk either for or against that will resolve the issue, then if there are more against they should make themselves known.[/p][/quote]I assumed Dominic Grieve had been told it by kids and as I said it’s a classic ploy by kids behaving anti-socially to say that only one adult individual is opposed to them. The rest of your post seems to be pointing out all possible points of view. Ivor Medium One

12:32pm Tue 10 Jul 12

Ivor Medium One says...

Ivor Medium One wrote:
What result did the noise survey undertaken at the request of the worried resident come up with?
Does anyone know the answer to this?
[quote][p][bold]Ivor Medium One[/bold] wrote: What result did the noise survey undertaken at the request of the worried resident come up with?[/p][/quote]Does anyone know the answer to this? Ivor Medium One

1:30pm Tue 10 Jul 12

hm1 says...

Ivor Medium One wrote:
hm1 wrote:
Ivor Medium One wrote:
The village's MP Dominic Grieve told the BFP he has been inundated with letters on the subject, from residents opposing the change, but also from a gentleman who is unhappy about the impact the skate facilities have on his life.'


I am a bit suspicious of this - it is a classic ploy by kids behaving anti-socially to say that only one adult individual is opposed to them - the facilities at Blind Lane were closed because the same kids were making noise late into the night. Sometimes there IS one individual who just represents themselves and sometimes the individual is articulating the views of a lot of other people and sometimes there is a large number of people and not just one individual.
If there is only one individual are they not entitled to relief from noise while at home or is that unacceptably selfish?
Isn't it MP Dominic Grieve saying only one adult is opposed to them, rather than the kids? It is easier than ever to complain if you have a problem, and the folks of this area don't usually have a difficulty with that. If people don't act they don't get to complain when nothing is done. You can talk to the council by email, phone, web, text.....they have hotlines and response teams. One person may represent more, they may just represent themselves. If it is just a matter of numbers of folk either for or against that will resolve the issue, then if there are more against they should make themselves known.
I assumed Dominic Grieve had been told it by kids and as I said it’s a classic ploy by kids behaving anti-socially to say that only one adult individual is opposed to them.

The rest of your post seems to be pointing out all possible points of view.
Totally lost me. The piece says: "The village's MP Dominic Grieve told the BFP he has been inundated with letters on the subject, from residents opposing the change, but also from a gentleman who is unhappy about the impact the skate facilities have on his life." It sounds like Mr Grieve has been contacted directly,both by the BFP and complainants both for and against the change and made this quote himself. Doesn't sound like the Attorney General has had the wool pulled over his eyes by some pesky kids.
[quote][p][bold]Ivor Medium One[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]hm1[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Ivor Medium One[/bold] wrote: [quote] The village's MP Dominic Grieve told the BFP he has been inundated with letters on the subject, from residents opposing the change, but also from a gentleman who is unhappy about the impact the skate facilities have on his life.'[/quote] I am a bit suspicious of this - it is a classic ploy by kids behaving anti-socially to say that only one adult individual is opposed to them - the facilities at Blind Lane were closed because the same kids were making noise late into the night. Sometimes there IS one individual who just represents themselves and sometimes the individual is articulating the views of a lot of other people and sometimes there is a large number of people and not just one individual. If there is only one individual are they not entitled to relief from noise while at home or is that unacceptably selfish?[/p][/quote]Isn't it MP Dominic Grieve saying only one adult is opposed to them, rather than the kids? It is easier than ever to complain if you have a problem, and the folks of this area don't usually have a difficulty with that. If people don't act they don't get to complain when nothing is done. You can talk to the council by email, phone, web, text.....they have hotlines and response teams. One person may represent more, they may just represent themselves. If it is just a matter of numbers of folk either for or against that will resolve the issue, then if there are more against they should make themselves known.[/p][/quote]I assumed Dominic Grieve had been told it by kids and as I said it’s a classic ploy by kids behaving anti-socially to say that only one adult individual is opposed to them. The rest of your post seems to be pointing out all possible points of view.[/p][/quote]Totally lost me. The piece says: "The village's MP Dominic Grieve told the BFP he has been inundated with letters on the subject, from residents opposing the change, but also from a gentleman who is unhappy about the impact the skate facilities have on his life." It sounds like Mr Grieve has been contacted directly,both by the BFP and complainants both for and against the change and made this quote himself. Doesn't sound like the Attorney General has had the wool pulled over his eyes by some pesky kids. hm1

7:44pm Tue 10 Jul 12

Ivor Medium One says...

I assumed Dominic Grieve had been told it by kids and as I said it’s a classic ploy by kids behaving anti-socially to say that only one adult individual is opposed to them.

The rest of your post seems to be pointing out all possible points of view.
Totally lost me. The piece says: "The village's MP Dominic Grieve told the BFP he has been inundated with letters on the subject, from residents opposing the change, but also from a gentleman who is unhappy about the impact the skate facilities have on his life." It sounds like Mr Grieve has been contacted directly,both by the BFP and complainants both for and against the change and made this quote himself. Doesn't sound like the Attorney General has had the wool pulled over his eyes by some pesky kids.


I’m not sure why I’ve lost you but we seem to be in agreement.
[quote] I assumed Dominic Grieve had been told it by kids and as I said it’s a classic ploy by kids behaving anti-socially to say that only one adult individual is opposed to them. The rest of your post seems to be pointing out all possible points of view. Totally lost me. The piece says: "The village's MP Dominic Grieve told the BFP he has been inundated with letters on the subject, from residents opposing the change, but also from a gentleman who is unhappy about the impact the skate facilities have on his life." It sounds like Mr Grieve has been contacted directly,both by the BFP and complainants both for and against the change and made this quote himself. Doesn't sound like the Attorney General has had the wool pulled over his eyes by some pesky kids. [/quote] I’m not sure why I’ve lost you but we seem to be in agreement. Ivor Medium One

10:49am Wed 11 Jul 12

Brian JM says...

Hazlemere is watching this game of parochial ping-pong with neighbourly concern. Two points: the residents association should speak up for the public interest and the parish council requires a dose of democracy. Putting it another way, councillors should be responding to their electorate not special or private interests. Because they have no electorate they like Mr Grieve (whose view is too global to be of much use) are making it up as they go along. Sorry Jeff, but there it is.
Hazlemere is watching this game of parochial ping-pong with neighbourly concern. Two points: the residents association should speak up for the public interest and the parish council requires a dose of democracy. Putting it another way, councillors should be responding to their electorate not special or private interests. Because they have no electorate they like Mr Grieve (whose view is too global to be of much use) are making it up as they go along. Sorry Jeff, but there it is. Brian JM

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