Second parish meeting calls for skatepark poll

Comments made over the last few months have been taken into consideration and the new plans reflect these, including removing the bunding.

Chairman Phil Bowell said the decision was taken following a meeting with Steyning Grammar School, which owns land suggested as an alternative site by the Friends of Memorial Playing Field.

He told the council last Monday: “We had a meeting with Steyning Grammar School and the bottom line is the school has categorically stated it will not release any land for a skatepark facility and it will not be discussed again.”

Supporters of the council’s skatepark, planned for the Memorial Playing Field, have now called a parish meeting to vote for a town poll.

Paul Brewer, of Kings Barn Lane, said: “We believe a town poll on the skatepark question is inevitable and necessary, given the level of feeling.

“In order to ensure progress is made and achieve a clear view of resident opinion, we are calling a town poll.”

The Steyning parish meeting will take place at the Steyning Centre at 7pm tomorrow. All parish electors are invited.

Mr Bowell will chair the meeting people will be asked to vote on a motion proposing the poll.

It states: “Do you want Steyning Parish Council to provide a skatepark in the Memorial Playing Field, incorporating the existing asphalt strip, located near the Rublees Allotments boundary?”

A previous parish meeting, called by the Friends on September 19, was declared invalid by Horsham District Council.

The Friends have since called that decision into question and a second meeting they had planned was cancelled.

The new parish meeting notice, signed by six residents, reads: “Given these events and the strength of feelings, we believe that a town poll is necessary and that one should be held without further delay and in the proper way, with the full involvement of the parish council.”