PLANS to upgrade an ageing skate park in a Southampton park hit by crime and anti-social behaviour have been given the go-ahead.
The city council has approved its own application to make Hoglands Park safer by installing a new facility that will open up views of the area.
Tall steel ramps will be replaced by a concrete park designed by the internationally-renowned Rich Holland.
He is currently working in partnership with the Hansard Gallery and Skate Southampton to create a showpiece attraction that will be larger than its predecessor.
The highest point of the new skate park will be 600mm, compared with the current 3m.
A council report outlining its decision said improvements to the park aimed to enhance the recreational facilities as well as reduce the potential for anti-social behaviour.
It added: "Hoglands is central to an area with disproportionately high crime rates, preventing residents from getting full use and enjoyment from the parkland.
"In recent years Southampton City Council has secured funding to introduce a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) and replace the existing and unused pavilion, which has been significantly vandalised."
READ MORE: Southampton man charged after reports of sexual assault in Hoglands Park
The report said the new ramps would be "significantly lower" than the existing ones.
"The skate park, due to its larger footprint and wider spacing of features, will facilitate a broader range of abilities and a greater number of users at any one time, therefore improving the potential enjoyment of the park.
"The proposal represents a significant improvement compared to the impact of the existing skate park."
Summing up, the report said the scheme, coupled with other measures within the park and the city centre, sought to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour.
"The positive aspects of the proposal, and the creation of a skate park with broader potential appeal than the existing one, outweigh the negative impact."
READ MORE: Ageing metal skate park in Hoglands Park set to be replaced by new facility
Cllr Lisa Mitchell, cabinet member for housing and green environment, added: "The skate scene in Southampton is growing and a newly designed skate park by someone as renowned as Rich Holland is a huge boost.
"He's been involved in some incredibly successful international projects so I have no doubt this will benefit the entire city and put Southampton on the map."
"We are committed to ensuring all our parks have high-quality facilities for all to enjoy, and this project is another step towards that."
Hoglands is one of five city centre parks that cover a total of 52 acres.
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