16/02/2023: Major funding announced for new Norfolk skate park.

A new skate park proposed for Watton has taken another step closer to reality after Breckland Council announced it would make more than £100,000 in funding available to help deliver this project.

The proposed new skate park which will now submit a planning application for approval, will be developed at the Watton Sports and Social Club. The proposal will see the installation of a forked 27 metre skate run, which will include handrails, quarter pipes, banked ramps and ledges.

The £107,000 funding approved by Breckland Council comes from Section 106 contributions. These contributions come from housing developers are ringfenced for providing community and social infrastructure. With the funding for the whole project now secured, Watton Sports and Social Club will shortly submit a planning application, with possible building work starting later this year.  

Cllr Phil Cowen, Executive Member for Finance, Revenue and Benefits at Breckland Council commented: "We are delighted to approve this funding for a project in Watton, which has been developed after a long period of local discussions around how potential funding could be used and possible locations for a facility like this. The proposal has been fully supported by our local Watton ward members, Cllr Alison Webb, our Cabinet lead for Health and Communities, Watton Sports and Social Club and from the Breckland Youth Advisory Board, who have been incredibly passionate about seeing this project come to fruition for local young people. With the collaboration from local partners, I feel this project will offer young people a fantastic space for them to enjoy skating."

Tobi Amadasun from Watton Sports and Social Club commented: ""This is an exciting opportunity to provide a space for youth within the community and surrounding villages to socialize,  as well as partake in sporting activity. Watton has waited for funding to deliver a skate park, and the joint work between Watton Sports Centre and Social Club , Breckland Council and Breckland YAB, will help deliver an exciting project for the town. We look forward to getting the work started and completing the project."