PLANS to give a skatepark in Bude a much-needed facelift have been approved.

Bude-Stratton Town Council, alongside Canvas Spaces Limited, applied to refurbish the existing concrete skatepark based at Crooklets back in March. Now plans have been approved by Cornwall Council.

The application (PA26/00656) explains that the current facility is heavily used by the local community, though despite this, the space is in need of some love as the site ‘is now approaching the end of its functional lifespan’.

On top of this, the council has expressed that the site’s ‘layout and features also reflect an outdated style of wheeled‑sports design and no longer meet the expectations or needs of modern users’.

As a result, the council, alongside designers Canvas Spaces, submitted a planning application to refurbish the site.

The application explains: “The project involves the removal of the existing ramps and obstacles and their replacement with a new concrete riding surface with a contemporary selection of new ramps and obstacles.

“To improve drainage, access and safety of the facility, a portion of the existing concrete retaining walls will be removed. Any remaining walls will be refurbished to ensure compliance with the relevant British safety standards.

“The proposed works aim to revitalise the skatepark by delivering a modern, inclusive, and durable facility suitable for skateboarding, BMX, scootering and wheelchair motocross (WCMX). All redevelopment works will take place entirely within the footprint of the existing skatepark, ensuring no expansion into surrounding areas.

“The new design has been developed collaboratively with Bude–Stratton Town Council and the local community through a series of consultation sessions. Feedback from these sessions has directly informed the layout and features to ensure the facility reflects local needs and preferences.”

The consultation asked local residents for their thoughts on the redevelopment of the space. Of the 1,796 people who responded, 1,370 supported plans, 157 expressed their opposition, while a further 269 stated they supported the improvements, but did not feel as though this was the correct location.

Since the submission of the application, a number of residents have expressed their support.

One commenter said: “I fully support updating the skatepark at Bude. Me and my sons are relatively new to skateboarding and we have to travel to Bideford and Camelford, as Bude's surface is poor and there are limited resources to use (ramps etc).

“When travelling to other parks we have been surprised how welcoming the community is especially with us being new, it really is a great activity and will get more people back into it. I have lived in Bude all my life and there are limited to things to do, this can only be a positive thing.”

Following the application, Cornwall Council’s planning department has approved the plans with conditions.

As part of the approval, the planning committee has ruled that no external lighting shall be installed within the development site unless it has first been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.