Sidmouth Skaters and wheeled sports enthusiasts can celebrate Christmas early as Sidmouth Town Council has revealed that it's received confirmation from planners that their much anticipated replacement Skatepark does not require further planning permission. 

Not requiring a potential lengthy planning process means that the Council can now accelerate it's plans for the facility and together with its own allocated funding, apply for grants from S106 sports and open space funds and also Sport England with a view to delivering the facility in 2020.

East Devon's Development Control Manager wrote to the Council and said: "We have looked through the proposal and given that no part of the works exceed 4m in height or 200 cubic metres in capacity, and as the works are proposed by and for the Town Council, I consider that the works can be classed as Permitted Development under Part 12 (Development by Local Authorities) Class A of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015."

Councillor Louise Cole, Chair of the Town Council's Youth Provision Working Group commented: "Children and young people in Sidmouth told us that a new skate park was high on their wish list during the Neighbourhood Plan consultations.

"Skate parks are a great asset to any community if they are well designed and in the right place.

"They give young people a social and physical space, somewhere to be outside and active, develop their focus and skills and have fun with their friends, that is good for their wellbeing all round.

"Young people have been involved in the design work and I am really pleased that we can now move quickly to deliver it for them."

The Council's appointed Skatepark consultant and builder Maverick, carried out extensive consultations with local users, Youth Centre and residents during the spring and summer and plans are now being finalised using that information to produce a truly top quality facility for use by all ages and abilities.