Broughton Skate Park Milton Keynes 

We have a Great Skate Park

Help us to save Broughton Skate Park

 

MKSK8.com shows different opinions please browse and take a look – start by scrolling down and read below

All we want is for everyone to start at the beginning and not make any assumptions and Independently check the sound readings

Yes the Park is still in danger of being bull dozed, read on .....

 

A revised Noise Abatement Notice……

The good news is that our concerns regarding the unreasonable time period given by the Council for compliance with the Noise Abatement Notice appear to have been heeded - Milton Keynes Council have now served a “revised” Noise Abatement Notice on the Parks Trust last Friday (13 July 2012). We have yet to have sight of that Notice, but understand that it amends the “steps” the Parks Trust are required to take and gives the Trust an extended time period of three months within which to “abate” the nuisance.

Whilst that is clearly good news, MKSK8 consider that even the revised period for compliance is unrealistic. That view principally arises from the fact that certain works that the Trust may wish to implement are likely to require planning permission. That planning process could, by itself, consume a whole two months of the “revised” period for compliance. When viewed in the context of other facts, (i.e. there has yet to be an independent detailed acoustic assessment of noise from the park; no detailed works plan has been finalised and time is obviously required to implement any works), MKSK8 continue to have questions about the “reasonableness” of the revised Notice .

We will continue to monitor what is happening and apply appropriate pressure to all parties to ensure that the interests of users are fully taken into account in deciding the skate park’s future. 

BUT……..

…………still no understanding of the “problem”

MKSK8 continue to remain concerned that the only technical assessment of noise from the skate park appears to be a report prepared by the Council’s Environmental Health Department – a report that the MKSK8 considers is inadequate.

MKSK8 have made a formal requested under the Freedom of Information Act/Environmental Information Regulations, so that we can review the technical data informing the Council’s view that noise amounts to a “Statutory Nuisance” and the objectivity of their conclusions. We will update you once we have received the Council’s response.

 ……….still no “robust technical assessment”……

 Even as of today’s date, we are unaware that the Parks Trust has sought any independent acoustic consultancy advice to provide a holistic overview of the need and extent of any mitigation measures.

MKSK8 continue to assert that a detailed assessment of noise must be undertaken before any Action Plan can be finalised.

And a “deadline” that has been extended…….

 ………………………………………BUT REMAINS UNREALISTIC

MKSK8 considers that there is still an enormous amount of work to be done, reviewing the objectivity of the Council’s judgement that there is, in fact, a noise “nuisance” at the park and the need and extent of noise control works to thoroughly evaluated.

Whilst a revised time period for compliance has been given by the Council, as highlighted above that period remains unrealistic.

THERE IS CLEARLY NO ROOM FOR COMPLACENCY!

 

Understanding the Problem

 

The Noise Abatement Notice served on the Parks Trust states that the “nuisance” is noise from “from skate boards, scooters and other wheeled equipment used at the park”. As such, the Notice effectively asserts that noise nuisance is caused by skate boards, scooters and BMX bikes alike. MKSK8 considers that is a quite remarkable assertion, given the markedly different noise generation characteristics of each type of equipment and, perhaps, crystallises why they believe that the source of noise complaints and where noise control may need to be “targeted” is simply not understood.

To date, the only technical assessment of noise from the skate park appears to be a report prepared by the Council’s Environmental Health Department – a report that the MKSK8 considers is inadequate.

MKSK8 are therefore concerned that whilst an “Action Plan” to develop a scheme of works to abate the “nuisance” is being developed, there is still no factual understanding of the sources/activities which are prompting noise complaints.

 

A Robust Technical Assessment

As highlighted above, there are clearly a large number of questions that MKSK8 believe need to be answered before confidence in any mitigation scheme can be gained. That means there is a need for a robust and detailed technical assessment of existing noise generation, which can then be used as a basis for determining the need and extent of noise control works.

MKSK8 consider that such an assessment should be undertaken by a suitably qualified professional holding a corporate Membership grade of the Institute of Acoustics, and working for a Member Practice of the Association of Noise Consultant with a demonstrable track record of environmental noise assessment, including prior experience of skate parks.

Best Value

MKSK8 consider that there a number of both administrative and engineering controls that could be considered.

MKSK8 consider that all options for noise control should be considered in order to develop a holistic noise mitigation strategy.

Time

Given the lack of understanding of current “issues” at the site, MKSK8 are extremely concerned about the limited timescale the Noise Abatement Notice provides to the Parks Trust to abate the “nuisance” it asserts exists. We are now over 12 days of a 28 day compliance period, and yet it would appear that we are still at a stage where no detailed technical assessment of what is actually required here to abate the (alleged) nuisance has been undertaken.

MKSK8 continue to contend that the period set out in the Notice for compliance is manifestly unreasonable and urges the Parks Trust to consider appeal the Notice (which it has a legal right to do within 21 days of the service of the Notice) in order that a more appropriate timescale for the full evaluation of current noise concerns and the need and extent of noise control works can be thoroughly evaluated.