Controversial plans to build a new skate park at a Portishead beauty spot look likely to be given the green light.
North Somerset Council’s executive is expected to rubber stamp a decision to award landlords consent to Portishead Wheels and Skate Park (WASP) to site a skate park at the town’s Lake Grounds when it meets on January 7.
Council bosses are expected to agree a 25-year lease for a piece of land at the rear of the current boat house, subject to funding and planning permission being secured.
The decision marks a major step forward in a long-running campaign to site a new skate facility at the Lake Grounds.
Planning permission was granted on appeal for a skate park at the Lake Grounds in 2011.
However, the project never moved forward because the then Conservative-led North Somerset Council refused to grant landlords consent.
A North Somerset Council spokesman confirmed there was now a recommendation to approve the landlord’s consent application.
The spokesman said: “An application for landlord's consent to build a skate park at Portishead Lake Grounds will be considered by North Somerset Council's Executive at its next meeting on Tuesday 7 January.
“The report recommends that a 25-year lease be granted to Portishead WASP subject to conditions regarding terms, availability of funding and planning permission.”
WASP has asked the council for a piece of land of between 800 and 1,000 square metres.
The site includes part of the current area of hardstanding by the boat house and a small section of the existing park.
If landlords consent is agreed, a pre-planning application will then be submitted.
A full consultation will be carried out with local residents as part of the application.
A full planning application will then be submitted.
The park will not only be for skateboarding but also for scooter, rollerblade and BMX users.
The preferred design is for a "pump park" which would see a concrete skating bowl set into the ground with a BMX track around the perimeter.
The facility is expected to cost between £160,000 and £300,000 depending on the design.
Funding will be sought from various grant bodies as well as the town and district council and a fundraising campaign will be launched.
The move to build a skate park at the lake grounds – described as the jewel in North Somerset’s crown – has proved controversial over the years.
Those against the plan said the lake grounds should be protected as a green space and allowing a skate park could set a dangerous precedent for further developments.
Over the years numerous locations for a new skate park in Portishead have been considered including land at Bristol Road and Kilkenny Fields.
A skate park already exists at Merlin Park in the town.
But as the sport has become more popular in recent years, so has the desire for a bigger and better facility.
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