Mumbles skate park: Bitter row over redevelopment plans

An increasingly bitter row is growing in the unlikely setting of Mumbles in Swansea.

A handful of residents in the affluent community are opposed to a redevelopment of a seafront skate park.

Despite the plans being approved by Swansea council, they are calling for a judicial review.

A campaign has been launched on social media encouraging drivers to beep their horns as they drive past the site and homes of objectors on Mumbles Road.

The local skateboarding community said it did not condone the beeping, but South Wales Police said it was listening to the concerns of residents, some of whom are now living with the noise nuisance day and night.

Jason Williams, chair of the Mumbles Skate Park Association, said: "I saw the beep campaign last week, I'm not sure how it came about.

"We don't condone it but it's brought to the fore the strength of community feeling for the redevelopment."

He added: "I think the new facility is massively needed.

"If you look at the ramp there now it's on or past its last legs, to the point of becoming dangerous.

"Swansea doesn't have skating facilities like other parts of the country and there's a massive call for it within the community."

Local skateboarder, Arthur Gravenor, 16, said: "It's always a nice environment here.

"There are always friendly people and I feel like it's such a shame because we really want to upgrade the facilities here."

A mini half-pipe is the only piece of equipment currently on the site of the planned skate park. The area has been popular with skateboarders for more than 20 years.

Plans for the new facility have been in discussion for about three years and were approved by Swansea council last year.

But judicial review proceedings have been launched by residents who claim the transfer of the land to Mumbles Community Council for the new skate park was unlawful.

One of the most prominent local residents who had opposed the skate park's redevelopment along the seafront had been businessman Mark Bailey.

But the owner of used-car dealership Trade Centre Wales withdrew his opposition on Friday.

During the past couple of weeks some vehicles have been heard beeping their horns outside his house in protest at his opposition to the skate park plans.

Mr Bailey, along with a small number of other residents, had called into question the transfer of land from Swansea council to Mumbles Community Council, which would oversee the proposed redevelopment.

In a statement, Hugh Hitchcock from Partner Acuity Law, who is taking on the judicial review on behalf of those against the plans, said: "It is unacceptable that one of the seven applicants to this judicial review should be subjected to this appalling campaign of abuse and harassment for exercising their democratic right to challenge the unlawful decision made by Swansea council.

"We hope Swansea council will now recognise the distress and hurt that has been caused here and unreservedly condemn the despicable behaviour of those who have engaged in these actions."

On Wednesday, a video appeared on social media that showed Mr Bailey and his wife confronting a group of young skateboarders on the small half-pipe ramp on the seafront.

Mr Bailey said on Friday that he and his wife "unreservedly apologise" for their actions that evening.

"Whilst it is by no means an excuse, my family and I have been subject to significant abuse over the days leading up to the incident, culminating in objects and verbal abuse being thrown at me as I tried to drive into my home on Wednesday.

"This was the final straw which prompted our actions which we now bitterly regret," he wrote on Facebook.

He said he would no longer object to the development and also said he stood by an offer to help fund facilities elsewhere.

Swansea County Councillor Des Thomas, who represents the ward, said: "I think it's been a little bit childish with people beeping their horns at all hours of the day. There are elderly people there and young children nearby, so it's pointless making them suffer.

"I would appeal to both sides to just step back a little bit and understand both people's viewpoint and let the democratic process take its course."

In a statement, South Wales Police Insp Andy Harris said: "I want people living in the area to know that we are aware of recent issues, and we are looking into them.

"We have listened to the concerns of residents along Mumbles Road, some of whom are being affected by inconsiderate anti-social behaviour.

"I would encourage people to keep reporting things to us, it helps us build up an intelligence picture and, where necessary, we will take fair, reasonable and proportionate action."