Sprowston Town Council nearing deal for new skate park

Plans for a new skate, BMX and scooter park in Sprowston first emerged when the White House Farm development began construction in the early 2010s.

Despite 1,300 new homes being built in the area, the long-promised skate park was never created.

Plans for a new skate park in Sprowston have been in the works for more than a decade (Image: Teresa Clayton)

At least five Sprowston Council chairmen have tried to push the project through since 2011 but problems finding a suitable location have repeatedly held up progress.

The authority now believes it has narrowed down on an ideal plot just off Blue Boar Lane which has already been partly developed into a car park. 

READ MORE: Council to spend £750,000 on consultancy fees for City Hall hotel bid

"It has been a long-standing ambition of successive councils to build a skate park in Sprowston," current Sprowston Town Council chairman Bill Couzens said.

A suitable area and budget have been approved (Image: Teresa Clayton)

"We finally have a suitable location and the resources to fund it."

But before any work can start, the landowner must first hand over the deed for the land. 

READ MORE: Business faced 'serious impact' after council planning approval delays

Guy Ranaweera, the town clerk, said this has been "a very drawn-out process" with still no confirmed date for the handover.

Several mock-ups have been made of the proposed park since its conception in the early 2010s (Image: Sprowston Town Council) "Once the site is eventually transferred to us we will go through an open and competitive tendering process to identify a suitable contractor to design and deliver the skate park which will take a few months.

"After that, to ensure we build a skate park that people want to use and that does not unreasonably impact nearby homes."

Up to £70,800 in funding has been set aside for the project.