Report recommends a seafront skatepark site
A LONG-AWAITED report has recommended a site on Swansea’s seafront for a new skatepark for the city.
Proposals to create the facility at Llwynderw in West Cross were first put forward by Mumbles Community Council in 2018 and received a huge amount of support.
More than 4,200 people signed a petition backing the plans, on the site of the existing half pipe, although the plans also faced some opposition.
In February, Swansea Council voted to approve the plans.
But following the vote the authority then asked MCC, which submitted the application, to commission an independent
review and “comprehensive appraisal” of potential alternative sites.
Council chiefs insisted the request for a review did not mean the end of the Llwynderw proposal, but was commissioned to ensure the most appropriate site was identified before they considered a land transfer.
The independent review has now been completed, and after considering alternative sites for the skatepark, it has recommended the original site - Llwynderw.
A Swansea Council spokesman said: “We have just received the report and will study it carefully. Our cabinet will make a decision on any proposed community asset transfer.”
The Llwynderw proposal had significant public backing but safety concerns were also voiced
due to its proximity to Mumbles Road, despite being home to a mini halfpipe skateboard run for years.
The community council reckons the state-of-theart skate park will cost around £335,000, with £200,000 to £250,000 sought via grants and the remainder to come from its budget.
The design of the Llwynderw skate park makes it suitable for scooters and BMXS as well as skateboards.
Mumbles Community Council said that the report confirms that the site has “numerous positive factors making it a suitable location” and they are looking to press ahead as quickly as possible with their plans to redevelop the skatepark.
Councillor Pam Erasmus from Mumbles Community Council said: “Councillors have been working very hard on this project for a number of years now.
“Everything is in place to start on the build of this beautiful redevelopment, as soon as Swansea Council make a decision on the site. We are really keen to get going as quickly as possible.”
While Councillor Sara Keeton added: “We are delighted that after many years of planning, we are now close to the point where we will see those plans become a reality.
“We are grateful for the advice of the skater community, particularly the wheelchair community in this process, which means we will have a really fantastic facility on our doorstep.”
The report has been submitted to Swansea
Council for consideration, who will use it to inform their decision-making on granting the lease to Mumbles Community Council.
A spokesman for Mumbles Skatepark Association, a campaign group set up to support the development of the Llwynderw site, added: “The Llwynderw site has been home to the existing ramp, which is long overdue a facelift, for in excess of 20 years, and is firmly established within the community, easily accessible for all, and the approved design ensures that existing green space is unaffected.
“There is massive support for the skatepark redevelopment, as evidenced by our petition, which has over 4,000 signatories and counting.
“The current pandemic has also really highlighted the benefits skateparks and other, similar facilities can provide in terms of health and wellbeing, and has emphasised the need for such facilities, available to the whole community.
“We understand the need for this independent report post planning approval is unusual and has already meant a delay in the project of nearly nine months, plus additional cost.
“This has been a real frustration, especially considering planning has been approved and the funding for the redevelopment is already in place.
“Mumbles Community Council have been amazing in identifying the current gap in facilities and driving the project in response to calls from their constituents.”