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Plans to transform a Methodist Chapel into an indoor skate park and cultural centre have been given the green light following a huge community effort, an outpouring of public support, and "a year of bureaucratic box-ticking".
The approved plans involve setting up removable wooden ramps inside the long-disused St Ouen’s Methodist Church, which can be taken out without altering the building's original structure, to provide skaters with a space to practice regardless of the weather.
The 19th-century chapel, which has been used for storage since 1974, will also serve as a community space for creative workshops and activities like videography, art and photography.
The venue is located on Route de Trodez and will be managed by the local charity Skate Space, with the development set to be completed within three years.
Spearheaded by Natalie Mayer, the Skate Space team's objective was to reclaim a space which had sat empty for years to bring community, physical and mental health benefits while meeting the interests of young people and creating an inclusive and inspiring space for anyone interested in creative culture.
Pictured: Natalie Mayer, a local skateboarder and driving force behind the application, recently announced the news on social media.
The potential of the venue was recognised by local photographer Natalie Mayer, who drove the application forward with her community group Skate Space and architect Tom Macaviney from 9x5 Architects. The Government also supported the project with a £5,000 grant for planning and architectural designs.
Ms Mayer explained: "We wish to emphasise that we're super happy to gain permission, that the process took over 18 months (including seven months waiting for planning) and was very costly for a small charity. But, we're delighted to have finally ticked that box!
"It's been a slow process, but the past year of bureaucratic box-ticking has also marked significant growth for our project. We have established new connections, identified additional user groups, and equipped more individuals with the skills needed to effectively manage the space responsibly.
"Sadly, the system we have hinders well-intentioned initiatives, and consequently enables those with vast resources and less altruistic motives to gain power and take space.
"I hope Jersey can work towards relaxing regulations to better support non-profit projects moving forward. This is vital, if our future community is going to thrive and look after its own needs.
"We still have more red tape to cross and are very grateful for offers of support and sponsorship from the community to help us reach our goal of a new place to hang out for young people."
Pictured: St Ouen's Methodist Church.
A total of 167 islanders responded to the planning application, many of them local skateboarders and those living in the area who were supportive of the application.
Mark Richardson, who said he had been skating for 35 years, commented that the new skate park at Les Quennevais was "the best park that I’ve been to" and that an indoor facility would allow people to skate despite rainy weather.
Skateboarder and youth worker Luka Pinto commented: "I feel positive that young people will appreciate this space and be respectful of neighbours and the environment."
The assessment report written by a planning officer reads: “The proposed use would provide a suitable future life for the dilapidated listed building and overwhelming public support has been received.”
Plans lodged for indoor skate park
FOCUS: Ramping it up down the nave
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