Village skatepark to be built after fundraiser

Plans for a skatepark in a village will progress after the community raised the last parts of funding needed for the project.

Abi Edevane started the campaign to build a skatepark in Brantham, Suffolk, after having to travel to the nearest facility.

In total £200,000 was raised for the site from three local authorities, Sport England, the National Lottery and a community fundraiser.

Edevane said the next step was to find a contractor to build the skatepark, with construction needing to start within six months.

Edevane said she first took the idea of a skatepark to Brantham Parish Council in 2023.

"It's been hard work, and has taken up some time," she said, but she added she was "over the moon" that the fundraising target was met.

The community needed to raise £15,000, which would be matched by Sport England to reach the total cost of building the site.

Babergh District Council put forward £100,000 for the project, and added the money came from the community infrastructure levy, where developers paid towards local infrastructure.

Other funding included £40,000 from Brantham Parish Council, £20,000 from the National Lottery and £10,000 from Lawford Parish Council.

Edevane said that the skatepark does not require a planning permission as the site was already designated for recreational use.

The funding from Sport England was contingent on the skatepark's construction starting within six months.

Edevane said she was "actually quite happy about that" as it would mean progress would need to start soon and she hoped to have the park built by Christmas.

There were some people living in the village who had concerns about the build and thought it could bring anti-social behaviour from young people, according to Edevane.

"I think it's actually going to improve the area hugely because it's going to give them somewhere they feel is for them and they're not just being ignored," she said.

Mal Bridgeman, the chair of Brantham Parish Council, said: "This has been a fantastic community effort to build this long-awaited skatepark.

"We're extremely excited that it will create a long-lasting community space to enjoy for years to come."

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