The Sedbergh Community Trust has set out to provide a facility for young people with the best of intentions but the process of finding a suitable location is causing upset from many residents, who feel they are not being listened to (Gazette, April 21, 'Skate park park for rec hits opposition').

Having just read through the application on the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority website, there are a number of statements made by the trust that I feel are ill-formed: 1. It states the existing site is vacant, but it is currently used by the junior football team.

2. The trust claims that there is a ‘need’ for a skatepark. However, there is a big difference between 'want' and 'need'. Who would not say, if asked, that they want something they don't already have and they don't need to pay for?

I would like a climbing wall in Sedbergh and how about an ice rink - sadly no one has asked me.

Having lived here for 14 years, I have seen one child with a skate board under his arm and a few using scooters on their way to school. I don't believe there is a 'need.'

3. The trust is using only the comments from the questionnaire that support its proposal. The trust is stressing the benefit of the recreation field site as parents will be able to keep an eye on their children. However, the children specifically stated that they wanted a ‘location where they could be on their own, out of sight of adults,’ and the school field provides this.

4. The trust says the school field is ‘isolated.’ Which supports point 3, and I’m pretty sure that more children live close to the school than they do the recreation field.

5. Given that the users will predominantly be aged 10 - 16, most will be attending Settlebeck School. If the skateboard park is sited at school, they will be able to use it in their school breaks - impossible if it was located in the recreation field.

6. It seems a large amount of money; up to £100k is quoted to be spent on a facility for a small proportion of the population.

The evidence gathering was carried out by the potential end users and a trust which has its own agenda at pushing this development through. I imagine there would be more wholehearted support from the community if they had been involved in determining what the town most needs.

Alison Bramall

Sedbergh