Protest held over plans to sell skatepark

A protest has taken place against a decision to sell a skatepark that the council said was a good site for new housing.

On 1 July, Watford Borough Council's cabinet agreed to sell the skatepark on Lower Derby Road, along with nearby empty offices and a car-washing garage.

Campaigners, who held a demonstration outside Watford Town Hall, says the community comes together at the site.

A new facility was opened by the council at nearby Oxhey Activity Park in 2021, but skaters said it had not been a suitable replacement, describing it as dangerous with other people complaining about them being there.

The older skatepark was officially closed by the council after the new one opened, but boarders are still using it as the gates are usually open.

Uncertainty about the future of the Watford skatepark has been going on for some time.

Ethel Keith Ewing, who runs Skatenuts, an organisation that supports young adults, has been skateboarding for 50 years.

"The skatepark was closed during [Covid-19] for redevelopment. That fell through," they said.

"They told us it was going to be a car park.

"It was never going to be a car park. It was always going to be a block of flats."

Councillor Glen Saffery, portfolio holder for planning, said: "Like all councils, we have to meet government housing targets or otherwise potentially lose planning powers, but we also recognise the need for community and youth facilities.

"Where development takes place, Community Infrastructure Levy funding helps ensure investment is made back into local infrastructure and facilities for residents."

Sarah Priestley, a local historian and parent, said her son Joe learned to skate at the Watford venue.

It was a place where he "felt safe", she said.

She believed the site should not be turned into housing because of the "lack of spaces for young people [in Watford]... and it just gets worse and worse".

Saffery added: "We recognise the skatepark is valued by those who use it and understand the concerns raised.

"There is currently no planning application and no developer for the site. Any future planning application would go through the usual process, including consultation and consideration of community views."

Marketing for the sale of the site is expected to begin at the end of summer.

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