Axminster Town Council has reaffirmed its commitment to providing a new skatepark in the town, saying it will pledge a further "substantial sum" to the project.

The old skatepark at Cloakham Lawn was closed down in September 2019 as it required significant repairs and, not being owned by the local council like skateparks in many other towns, it was liable for all its own costs and maintenance, including insurance.

Axminster Town Council and East Devon District Council are now working together to move forward the much-anticipated replacement skatepark.

Members and officers from both authorities have recently held two site visits at Cloakham Lawn Sports centre, which is now the preferred site for the replacement park.

It was previously suggested that the skatepark could be built on the former Millwey Rise football pitch but this is a strategic asset of East Devon District Council's and will likely be sold for housing development.

The design of the new skatepark will be similar to the Maverick designs released in 2016 (pictured above), with ramps made of poured concrete rather than wood and metal as seen at the old park.

At last week's town council meeting, members agreed to four proposals regarding the skatepark, put forward by the Mayor of Axminster, Cllr Jill Farrow.

The proposals reaffirmed the council's support for the project, which it said was evidenced by the allocation of £150,000 from Section 106 funding from local developers. Members noted this money had to be spent within the next 15 months to avoid being returned to the developers.

Members agreed that the best and most timely way of delivering the new skatepark was to site it at Cloakham Lawn Sports Centre, with land offered on a long lease to East Devon District Council at a nominal rent, and then leased to Axminster Skatepark Community Interest Company also for a nominal rent.

This would mean that the skatepark would be eligible for capital funding from East Devon and, if the project were to be delivered through the district council, any VAT due would be reclaimable.

It also means that the project may be considered to be permitted development, and would therefore not require planning permission.

The town council also resolved to pledge a "substantial sum" to the project.

As it will not be payable until the 2022/3 financial year, the amount to be drawn from council reserves or added to the council tax precept will be decided at a meeting in October.

Finally, it was agreed to instruct the town clerk to advise East Devon officers and Axminster ward members of the town council's decisions, and to request they make every effort to ensure that action be taken swiftly.