Above and Beyond – Our Roof Project
UPDATE: Roof Project Planning Consent Approved!
We are overjoyed to share that today we have had our Southsea Skatepark roof project plans unanimously approved by the Portsmouth City Council Planning Committee! This all began with our initial roof ideas way back in 2018, and to get to today has taken a serious amount of hard work & dedication by our charity trustees and our fantastic architect Paul Cashin.
We want to take a moment to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who showed support and submitted a comment during the planning process. We were absolutely blown away with your enthusiasm for the project and the stories of the positive impact on your lives the skatepark has had over the decades. You are awesome and it no doubt had a real impact on the approval decision.
So… what’s next? This is a massive step forward for the project, and this now means we can start to hit the ground running with our strategy and plans for for the next phase in our journey, which includes compiling detailed costings for the build, working timelines and, in a way most important, fundraising.
Looking ahead we will be giving regular social media updates on progress on the roof project, plus detailed info on our website’s dedicated page to the project. We’ll also be producing videos about the building designs, our plans for what’s inside and the positive environmental aspects, plus so much more.
You could say, the real hard work begins now! True, but we’re going to take a moment to reflect on everything and everyone that got the skatepark and the charity here, and also look forward to where we’re going with the help and support of the incredible skatepark community. Together we can write a new chapter in the history of this iconic Southsea Skatepark, and help unleash the potential of every generation that does (and will) call the skatepark their home from home.
After years of careful planning and development, the charity behind Southsea Skatepark is excited to unveil visionary plans for a new roof and building that will significantly enhance this much-loved community facility. Local residents, businesses, and organisations are warmly invited to a special community consultation event to view the designs, meet the team behind the project, and have their say.
The proposed redevelopment is both ambitious and respectful — a modern, sustainable structure that draws inspiration from Portsmouth’s rich architectural heritage while embracing cutting-edge design. The building will include new viewing areas for spectators, a café, and a shop, creating a welcoming, social hub that serves skaters, BMXers and scooter riders and the wider community year-round and in all weathers.
Southsea Skatepark is one of the oldest skateparks in the UK, dating back to 1978, but unlike any other skatepark in the world it has it’s roots as a rollerskating rink going back many decades before that. The skatepark’s historic and iconic bandstand was itself a community hub for music and dance from 1928. The skatepark has for generations been an important community hub bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds to get creative, meet new people and have fun.
Importantly, the new design reflects the skatepark’s historic location within a conservation area, incorporating subtle architectural details drawn from Southsea’s built environment — a blend of old and new that honours the past while looking to the future. The new building will also seamlessly connect both the new inside skatepark area to the legendary concrete skatepark outside.
As part of its commitment to the local environment, the building has been thoughtfully designed to blend subtly with its natural surroundings. It will feature living green walls and integrated solar panels, aligning with the city’s sustainability goals and the heritage character of the area.
Designs by Paul Chasin Architects.
“This isn’t just a roof — it’s a complete reimagining of what Southsea Skatepark can be,” said Victoria Wenyon, a trustee of the charity. “It’s about creating a lasting, inclusive space that reflects the character of our city, while providing modern facilities for current and future generations.”
Note: Ramp layouts shown are just for illustrative purposes, all ramps and ramp layouts will be designed in partnership with professional ramp builders once the overall building planning is approved.
