The removal of a skate park in Central Bedfordshire has still to be completed by the local authority, say residents, almost two years after they complained about it.
An online petition about the skate park attracted nearly 50 signatures over a variety of concerns, including safety and liability issues.
Their complaints over the facility in Cranfield led to the local government ombudsman finding fault with Central Bedfordshire Council.
The Cranfield Park play area and skate park was located in the centre of the estate, but accessible for anyone to use.
Residents feared having to pay for damaged equipment, the potential cost from children being injured on the play area, and for clearing litter.
Two of them complained to the ombudsman about the council’s handling of their concerns about the skate park, as well as about delays in the local authority’s response, according to the ombudsman’s report.
The report described “a lack of communication and transparency, being told they were wrong when they were right, mental health issues caused by noise and anti-social behaviour, stress, and time taken to provide CBC with evidence of its own procedures and policies”.
One of the residents asked for “a public apology to the whole local community and not just the estate where the skate park is located”, said the report.
They also requested CBC “pay for the upkeep of the skate park when it’s placed in a more suitable location”.
The skate park was put on land designated as a play area for residents in November 2019.
“The council’s initial response was that the skate park had been properly located in that area,” added the report. But after persistent complaints, CBC investigated the matter further.
“At the end of 2020, the council concluded its initial advice to residents was wrong and the skate park was improperly located in the play area.”
It apologised to those who had complained and decided to remove the skate park, but told residents it would take time to relocate it. In September 2021, the council started the removal process.
Referring to the residents as Mrs X and Mrs Y, the ombudsman explained: “I’ve considered Mrs X’s statement on the impact of noise and anti-social behaviour residents were subjected to by users of the skate park, as well as others.
“But the council has taken action to remedy the injustice by working with the developer to remove the skate park.
“I note it has been a slow process subject to delays. But I don’t find the periods of delay now warrant a financial remedy for Mrs Y personally or residents in general.
“In this case, I acknowledge Mrs Y and others had to prompt the council to act, chase responses to their concerns and then faced months of waiting for delayed responses.
“But I don’t find the time and trouble they were put to was exceptional and now warrants further pursuit of the matter by, or a remedy from, the ombudsman.
Mrs X’s complaints included the skate park not being appropriately approved, being belittled by the council so she had to speak to a local councillor to get the concerns heard and having to deal with constant break-ins to the skate park.”
The ombudsman concluded: “There was fault by the council which affected residents. I’m satisfied the local authority has taken action to remedy the injustice.”
