Skaters in Edinburgh can give a sigh of relief as the final planning permission clearance for the proposed outdoor skatepark in Saughton park has been approved!
Here’s a newspaper report about the approval:
SCOTTISH MINISTERS GIVE SKATEPARK SEAL OF APPROVAL
Scottish Ministers today confirmed they will approve the Council’s plans to build a skatepark at Saughton Park in Edinburgh. This final stage of planning approval means the £750,000 project can become a reality after a ten year effort to find a site.
Previous attempts to create a skatepark at the Meadows failed in 2003 because of a local bylaw issue and at Inverleith Park in 2006 because of the park’s conservation area status.
The 2100m2 facility will incorporate beginner areas, intermediate ramps and challenging competition standard features and is intended for use by children and beginners as well as more expert riders.
City Sports Leader Deidre Brock said:
"We knew we were onto something with Saughton Park right from the start. Skaters loved the idea and we consulted at length with local people and the vast majority saw the benefits that the project will bring to the area.
“Saughton is already a sporting park with an enclosed running track, football pitches and a new all weather 3G multi-purpose sports surface. The addition of a skatepark and improvements to play facilities will complement what is already there and the Saughton area will become a genuine sports hub in the city.
“Our sports team and our designers are working with Edinburgh Skatepark Project right now to make sure we get the best possible facility on this ideal site."
Edinburgh Skatepark Project member Sam Paterson, who has been campaigning for a facility for 10 years, said:
"We are understandably delighted that this decision has been reached by Ministers reinforcing the earlier decision to grant planning permission. Since permission was granted in December we have received a huge amount of support which encourages us further that we have a great location for the skatepark. We very much look forward to finally addressing the long running lack of outdoor skate and bmx facilities in Edinburgh with this project in Saughton Park and await its opening with huge anticipation"
Saughton Park has several grass football pitches, an enclosed running track, a play area and a new all weather full size ‘third generation’ pitch and sevens area. The skatepark will be located to the east of the existing play area next to Balgreen Road and will be suitable for use by BMX bikes and rollerblades, as well as skateboards.
Renowned Skatepark designer Dave Sowerby, who designed the new indoor facility at Ocean Terminal, has been involved in the Saughton project.