A planning application has now been submitted for the build of a new skatepark and kiosk at the former putting green in Cliftonville.
The £1.3m skatepark, on the site of the former crazy golf course in Ethelbert Crescent, is one of the £22.2m Margate Town Deal projects. The town deal funding was granted for Margate in March 2021.
The plan was first proposed by Nic Powley and Dan Cates, of Margate Skateboard Club, as part of a call for projects for the Town Deal.
The project originally had funding of £750k but the gained an additional £175,000 which was reallocated after £500,000 was withdrawn from the Oval Bandstand and Lawns project. Thanet council then agreed to add a further £350,000, moved from a Town Deal highways and signage scheme. The total sum includes £59,000 match funding from the council.
A £100k pledge has also been made by artist Tracey Emin but has not been included in the overall TDC budget. It is understood Ms Emin’s funding will be used through Margate Skateboard Club.
Covering almost an acre, the park is to include various-sized bowls, ramps and ledges, capable of catering for 100 users.
The space is designed to be used by a range of wheeled sports, including: Skateboarding, Rollerblading , BMXing and Scootering.
Planning documents say: “The skatepark is intended to attract a broad range of users and abilities, with beginner and introductory areas positioned in highly visible locations and a variety of spaces provided for different styles of wheeled sports.
“Seating areas are located throughout the site to encourage informal supervision and social interaction, with accessibility considerations such as armrests on selected benches to assist less mobile users.
“The design also incorporates clear routes through the site and retains an open relationship with the surrounding promenade and public spaces.”
Four new pedestrian / bike / wheelchair access points will be created into the skatepark, which ties into the public highways and promenade walkways.
The proposals have been co designed alongside the local community, council representatives and by skatepark specialists. The new facility will be suitable for all ability levels, with particular attention given to a ‘beginners zone’ to the east of the site.
More advanced features are included across the park bowl feature to the north of the site.
Six bike parking spaces will be provided as part of the scheme. A new locked coastal gate will be installed between Ethelbert Crescent and Newgate Promenade to serve as access for emergency vehicles and maintenance.
A drop kerb will also be installed and during works it will be used as construction access.
There will also be lighting which will operate only during approved opening hours between 8am to 10pm.
Planning documents say: “The skatepark lighting has been deliberately designed to focus illumination within the activity area, limiting impacts on adjacent public spaces, nearby residential properties and surrounding ecological receptors.”
A kiosk building is to be included in the scheme, on the north-eastern corner of the site. It is to include a disabled access WC and baby changing space for public use and servery for a tenant, yet to be appointed.
Entrances to the kiosk will have level thresholds with the exterior ground surface, allowing full wheelchair access.
Subject to planning approval, works are planned to begin in the last quarter of this year.
Planning documents say: “Once built, Margate will undoubtedly be one of the top skateparks in the UK.”
Previously the skatepark site, opposite Bugsy’s Tenpin Bowling centre, was used as two Arnold Palmer 18 hole courses overlooking the sea.
The miniature golf courses were part of the Arnold Palmer Enterprises empire set-up in 1961 that saw the legendary golfer’s name licensed and franchised to a wide-range of activities and products.
The Cliftonville courses were removed in 2014 along with the flattening of community-built Oasis skate park.
A decision is yet to be made on the latest application.
