Skateboarders are rejoicing over their triumph over a row of billionaires’ mansions, as a £460,000 skatepark has been constructed in front of their opulent beachfront residences.
Neighbors on the upscale seaside strip, where singer Bonnie Tyler and her husband reside, filed a lawsuit to prevent the construction of a new skatepark in front of their homes.
After the skateboarders were supported by irate vehicles and park-goers who passed by their seaside mansions overlooking the park, the wealthy home-owners gave up their struggle to prevent it.
Proponents of the skatepark engaged in their own form of protest by blaring their car horns as they drove by the luxurious mansions on the seaside road.
And now, following a five-year feud, the park is nearly finished after receiving council approval.
The skate park (pictured) was put on hold as a five-year legal dispute raged between activists and nearby residents of expensive homes (pictured rear)
A vision of the future: the skate park is nearly complete, with advocates anticipating that the facility in Wales will open as early as next month (pictured is the artist impression of what the completed site will look like)
On the Swansea seaside, a concrete and steel skatepark is taking shape in front of a row of luxurious homes, including the home of ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart’ singer Bonnie, 70, and her property developer husband Robert Sullivan.
Initially estimated to cost £198,825, it is now anticipated to cost approximately £461,800 due to the protracted conflict with the park’s rich neighbors.
The chairman of the Mumbles Skatepark Association, Jason Williams, is “thrilled” to have finally won his campaign and anticipates that the first wheels will roll next month.
“We have received an abundance of great feedback from the community. Everyone is eager to know when it will open,’ he continued.
Seven neighbors filed a lawsuit with a law firm to contest the manner in which Swansea Council handed the site to the community council for the skatepark.
A social media campaign was created to encourage motorists to honk their horns when passing by the opulent residences in Mumbles.
After confronting several of the skateboarders, auto salesman Mark Bailey, who lives next door to singer Bonnie, has become the primary target of the harassment.
Mr. Bailey was captured on camera allegedly threatening to “smash in the face” a skater who rode the ramp too near to his wife.
Neighbors on the upscale seaside strip, where singer Bonnie Tyler and her husband reside, filed a lawsuit to prevent the construction of a new skatepark in front of their homes.
Mark Bailey, a car dealer who was seen above during a confrontation with skateboarders at the park’s former half-pipe ramp, was apparently one of the residents who protested to the plans.
Mr. Bailey, however, has retracted his opposition to the expansion of the skatepark after viewing the video and hearing the automobile horns outside his home.
He stated, “I do comprehend why skateboarders are so enthusiastic about the skate park.”
Pamela Erasmus and Sara Keeton, Mumbles community councillors, stated, ‘It has been five long years, but we are thrilled and enthusiastic that the project should be completed by the end of February.
Without the support of our community, this would not have been possible, so we would want to thank everyone who has helped make this a reality.
The prices have skyrocketed. Prior to four years, a proposal would have cost slightly under £200,000. The plan was then redesigned and expected to cost somewhat more than £303,000.
The long-awaited skating facility is now anticipated to cost an eye-popping £461,853 due to further modifications and pricing increases.
More than 5,700 individuals supported the skatepark proposal by signing an online petition.
The sole piece of equipment on the location of the planned skate park was a tiny half-pipe. Since more than twenty years ago, skateboarders have frequented this location.
»Skateboarders in Swansea defeat neighbors involved in a millionaire’s row to create a new park«