Skateboarder launches new move to save ramp

Fife man seeks planning approval after being ordered to remove garden structure

A Fife skateboarder who has been ordered to tear down a 23-foot-long halfpipe ramp he built in his garden says he is still hopeful it can be saved.

Ross Salitura, 29, from Kinglassie appealed to the Scottish Government after Fife Council demanded he take down the structure, but had his case thrown out.

Mr Salitura said he was “disappointed and perplexed” by the ruling, given he had offered a raft of possible solutions to the council’s complaint that the ramp was visible from neighbouring gardens and had a harmful impact on amenity.

He now has just weeks to dismantle the £1000 ramp which was a Christmas present from his wife Tanya, given a year ago.

“The council has been unwilling to budge on this right from the start, regardless of a number of solutions offered,” said Mr Salitura.

“The ramp’s height was the issue and I’ve offered to sink the ramp three or four feet into the ground so that it is not visible to residents.

“The ramp is less than the height of a standard children’s trampoline or that of a garden shed.

Mr Salitura, a business consultant, said because of work commitments he only uses the ramp on his day off and for no more than an hour.

“There are no noise issues as I use special soft compound wheels and the ramp also has a number of built-in sound-reducing features.”

Nick Shaw, owner of SB Skate Ramps – the specialist firm which supplied the ramp – said he has been surprised by the decision.

He said: “We manufacture and sell hundreds of these ramps across the UK and this is the first time we’ve heard of any one being ordered to take it down.

“They are certainly no more noisy or intrusive than a children’s trampoline. I really hope Ross can work something out with the council.”

Since the council’s ruling, Mr Salitura said he’s been overwhelmed by the level of support from local residents.

He now plans to lodge a retrospective planning application for the ramp, positioned at a lower height.

Alan Blackie, Fife Council lead officer, said: “Mr Salitura is entitled to pay the normal fee and lodge a retrospective planning application.

“Like any other application it would then have to follow legislative processes and be assessed on its own merits.”

The council has been unwilling to budge from the start. ROSS SALITURA

Picture: Steve Brown. Skateboard enthusiast Ross Salitura, 29, from Kinglassie at home with the skateboard half-pipe on which Fife Council have served enforcement, to have it removed.