Plans for a new skateboard park in Central Park have been approved by Plymouth City Council.

The skateboard park will replace the one demolished last year to make way for the Plymouth Life Centre and will be located between Central Park Leisure Pools and Alma Road.

Freestyle Skateparks have worked closely with ramp sports enthusiasts to design a park that meets the needs of all users including skateboarders, BMX bikers and in-line skaters of all skill levels.

The new park is designed to be built in phases as and when more funding becomes available. The first phase, worth £190,000, will focus mainly on street skating as well as replacing the popular multi-use games area and sheltered seating in the old park. Later phases will include specialist skate bowls and additional street skating obstacles.

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The scheme is designed to be sensitive to the surroundings, fit in with the contours of the landscape and make use of the natural elements of the park. There are relatively few trees on the site but any that need to be removed will be replaced.

Councillor Peter Brookshaw, Cabinet Member for Community Services said: "We have worked with ramp sports enthusiasts and other young people to design a social space that can be enjoyed by non-skaters as well as skaters.

"Although it was sad to say goodbye to the old park it has given us an opportunity to make some of the improvements that skaters were asking for, such as better ramps and obstacles. We hope that passers-by will stop to admire the design of the new park when it opens and watch the talented skaters using it.”

Work on the new park is set to start in March and it is expected to open in June.

The planning application was approved under delegated authority and could be subject to call-in for scrutiny.

(CD/GK)