For the last 18 months, members of Alderley Edge Youth Council have been working on proposals for a new skating area in the village. As part of this process, the young people, supported by councillors Rachael Grantham and Craig Browne, have been holding discussions with Cheshire Police, Cheshire East Parks (ANSA) and Evolution Skateparks.
Our youth councillors are now ready to present their proposals to the community and would like to invite all residents to a consultation event on Monday, 23rd July, from 5pm to 7pm at the Festival Hall. At the event, there will be displays of the various options, as well as an opportunity to speak with the youth councillors about their ideas.
Councillor Rachael Grantham said "The attached sketch was drawn by Louis, one of our youth councillors, who took the ideas from some of the discussions from our meetings and translated them into a design. This design has now been interpreted by Evolution Skateparks and Cheshire East Council, who have produced a CGI of Louis work which will be on display on Monday evening.
"The Youth Councillors are very aware of potential concerns residents may have, but feel that a skatepark would give them a safe environment to play in and encourage young people to get outdoors. They particularly feel that youth facilities in Alderley Edge are limited, but are keen to hear the views of local residents."
Whilst all comments are welcome, in terms of feeding back to Cheshire East Council, they need formal feedback forms (which will be available on the night) to be completed.
If anyone wishes to give feedback, but is unable to attend on Monday, please email Cllr Rachael Grantham who will send an electronic feedback form by return.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
No mention of where the proposed structure would be built. In the park?
Cost estimate and who pays would be helpful to know.
I have now provided Lisa with a higher resolution image (which has been added above).
A copy of all the various plans, projected costings, proposed funding and feedback forms will be available at the event on Monday evening.
Kind regards,
Craig
I am in favour of some form of social/sport amenity but we need to be careful what we are letting ourselves in for. Will someone raise this issue as I can't come Monday.
John B, if you email me at I will send you the details. I will send all the images, designs and costings to Lisa, for this website, after the event on Monday.
This is a project run by the Youth Council and only supported by Craig and I, therefore I’d like to allow them the opportunity to share their proposals themselves before they are available online.
Hi Jon W, as I mentioned above this project is the work of the Youth Councillors, they meet every 8/10 weeks for an hour. They are very aware that a project of this nature would come up against some opposition, therefore, it was important to them to ensure they had thought about every aspect, from initial design ideas and funding sources to liaising with the police, Councillors, officers at Cheshire East and various different skate park designers before consulting with the residents of Alderley Edge.
I’m extremely proud of the work the group of 11 - 16yrs olds have done and I am looking forward to seeing and hearing the feedback the Youth Councillors get on Monday. Please do come along and share your opinions with them.
Best wishes,
Rachael
We are talking about a group of young people who give of their time freely and whom we actively seek to encourage and support in making a positive contribution to the life of our village.
I believe we are rightly proud of our Youth Councillors; Louis, for example, who has prepared the design above, has been working on this project as part of his Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
Such a pity that rather than offering our young people the support and encouragement they deserve, you only felt able to make a negative comment about their efforts.
Kind regards,
Craig
yes to your question; I'll allways like to know the cost and who pays and the exacy location.
Why not? Why would those who know want to be secretive?
I can (just about) understand that 'they' might wish to first reveal details at the Monday evening meeting.
Hopefully thereafter the details will be revealed on this site, for the public to consider?
Hi Craig,
might it be possible to 'fit' your proposed structure onto a 'map' of that part of the park where you would wish to embed the structure?
Also whether trees etc.would have to be removed, to make room for the structure?
I am not sure how this restriction could be enforced, but think it is an important consideration for residents living within hearing distance.
Peter Liddle
Has it been considered to use the existing building and space on the Chelford playing fields? This always seems such a waste of resource when it could be used as a shared community space for the kids of the village. Inside a Pool table/table tennis table, cafe/sitting area, football pitch available right outside for those who want to be out and then if the space works and is being used then add the skate ramp to the area?
The club house to be run on a voluntary basis, so with supervision. Hopefully an older teen would be willing to do this on rotation.
The table tennis tables in the park's old bandstand, which sadly are not used, could be moved to the site you suggest.
I agree with Harry Martin about the high maintenance costs of the bowling green and the exclusive use of the pavilion and toilet facilities for bowlers only.
If we ignore the wishes of our younger generation then Alderley Edge will soon become Elderley Edge.
Thanks to Rachael and Craig for their support, as usual.