New skate park to be built in town

Specialist ramps, grinding poles and slopes could be added to the scenery of Wilton Park after Kirklees Community Association got permission for the project.

Days after the announcement, the charity also received a £50,000 grant from the Biffa Award scheme to carry out its work.

Chairman of Kirklees Community Association Peter Rock said: “We are delighted to be leading on this project.  

“Now that planning permission is agreed together with confirmation of a £50,000 grant from Biffa Award, work is expected to start on site later this year.  

“The scheme won favour because it will be available to skaters of all ages and backgrounds, help with physical fitness and provide a much needed local facility.  

“Using the public park, allows it to be linked with other facilities at the same time as being in its own ‘safe space’.”

The concrete skate park will be built next to the car park at the Bradford Road beauty spot. It will be free to use.

Gillian France, head of grants at Biffa Awards, said: “We’re really excited to be able to support Kirklees Community Association with a Landfill Communities Fund grant.

“This project shows how communities can come together to provide recreational facilitates to benefit a variety of age groups, and encourage kids to get active.”

Kirklees Community Association is a charity and limited company that works for the benefit of the people across the district.

The multi-million pound re-generation of the Fieldhead estate in Birstall was led by the charity from 2008 to 2012.

And the volunteer-led organisation owns around 180 properties across Kirklees, which are rented to people in need of housing.