Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation

Comment

Representation ID: 210560

Received: 28/01/2026

Respondent: Cam Skate

Cam Skate raise the need for a permanent accessible, high-quality indoor skate space in the city. Cambridge is an active, growing city, which has hugely benefited from the recent addition of The Warehouse indoor skatepark which was first opened in September 2024 on Coldham’s Lane. Indoor skateboard facilities are a critical part of social infrastructure. Our community of skatepark users spans children, teenagers, adults, women and girls, neurodivergent people, and beginners who rely on supportive, safe environments to participate safely and confidently year-round. The current lease is a short-term meanwhile use (at the time of writing lease period ends July 2026) and only made possible through the constructive and community supporting outlook from landowners.

Comment

Representation ID: 210561

Received: 28/01/2026

Respondent: Cam Skate

When Cam Skate’s current meanwhile use lease is finished at 3-5 Coldham’s Lane, this will result in a major gap in year-round youth provision, physical activity access, and inclusive recreation. Evidence from national government, academic research, and community development studies strongly supports the role of skateboarding spaces as vital social infrastructure, enhancing wellbeing, social cohesion, safety, and community belonging.

Comment

Representation ID: 210562

Received: 28/01/2026

Respondent: Cam Skate

No mention of community, sports, leisure, culture or creative hubs within the policy which we see as integral to supporting the vitality of this area given its city centre location.

Comment

Representation ID: 210563

Received: 28/01/2026

Respondent: Cam Skate

No mention of community, sports, leisure, culture or creative hubs within the policy which we see as integral to supporting the vitality of this area given its city centre location.

Comment

Representation ID: 210564

Received: 28/01/2026

Respondent: Cam Skate

Facilities in centrally located employment hubs like the Cambridge Retail Park and the Beehive Centre should meet the needs of the wider community through offering a diverse mix of community, sports, leisure, culture or creative hubs facilities.

Comment

Representation ID: 210565

Received: 28/01/2026

Respondent: Cam Skate

An indoor skatepark offers a completely new piece of cultural infrastructure within Cambridge and through creative programming it provides a dynamic and varied offer within the city. From skate lessons to roller disco, to pop-up sauna and wellbeing events, an indoor skatepark can add enormous value to the mix of leisure and cultural facilities within the city.

Comment

Representation ID: 210566

Received: 28/01/2026

Respondent: Cam Skate

The Protection of Existing Facilities is particularly relevant to our current site and a new location within central Cambridge must be identified to avoid losing an invaluable community sports facility and social resource for young people. Due consideration should be given for the reprovision of an indoor skatepark facility within the Cambridge Urban Area.

Comment

Representation ID: 210567

Received: 28/01/2026

Respondent: Cam Skate

In the 2016 Indoor Sports Facility Strategy there is no reference to skateboarding or a skatepark. "Informal spaces" is not sufficient as a reference and does not accurately capture the proven demand for an
indoor skatepark facility. In line with the document’s recommendations, when the strategy is next reviewed (this is due for a review now), an indoor skatepark should be included as a distinct facility type within the strategy.

Comment

Representation ID: 210568

Received: 28/01/2026

Respondent: Cam Skate

We welcome the reference to skateboarding in the Wellbeing and Social Inclusion Topic Paper, but the table sets out a response that references open space policy which lacks a clear reference in regards to indoor skateboarding. Open space policy is not relevant to indoor skatepark provision and should instead be addressed through the Indoor Sports Facility Strategy. A ‘restricted access skatepark’ would be offering an invaluable social resource for young people in the Cambridgeshire area.

Comment

Representation ID: 210569

Received: 28/01/2026

Respondent: Cam Skate

National and academic research demonstrates that skateboarding facilities improve wellbeing, reduce antisocial behaviour, and build stronger communities. This could be evidenced in topic papers:
- Written evidence submitted to the UK Parliament reports
- Research by Iain Borden shows that skateparks produce clear social, cultural, health, and economic benefits, including significant reductions in antisocial behaviour
- A recent academic study on girls and non-binary young people found that skateparks act as “communities of care”
- Research from the Highlands shows skateparks contribute positively to identity formation, wellbeing, resilience, and community connection, highlighting their importance for youth and community health.

These findings show that skateboarding is not simply a recreational hobby—it is a reliable and evidence-backed tool for youth development, public health, and community cohesion.