People urged to back park plan for ex-school site

Plans for the site include a skate park, café and community gardens

People are being urged to back a charity's efforts to build a skate park and community hub on the site of a derelict school.

The Phoenix Community Park charity wants to create the new facilities, as well as a cafe and play area, on the site of the former Overdale School, in Eastfield, which was destroyed by fire in 2022.

The group has called on residents to attend an event later this month and vote in favour of the project, saying their support could help convince North Yorkshire Council to fund the £2.2m scheme.

A spokesperson for the charity said: "We've come this far, now we need the wholehearted support of local residents to make it happen."

Demolition work, which started on the former school site in October, is expected to continue through to spring next year.

If approved, the community park would be built on the four acres (1.57 hectares) of land on the east side of the seaside town.

However, charity staff said they feared that if people did not turn up and vote at the event, the site could become "just another housing estate".

Demolition work began at the site of the former Overdale School site in Eastfield in October

Carol Smith, secretary of the Phoenix Community Park charity, said the organisation had been named Phoenix because "the park would rise from the ashes of the destroyed school".

A charity spokesperson said "extensive public consultations" had been carried out, resulting in a feasibility study with "outline designs, alongside environmental surveys to ensure the project will not harm local wildlife".

They said the drop-in event would allow members of the public to see the plans, speak with trustees and meet representatives from local schools, the police, councillors and community organisations.

They added: "Please come along to our drop-in event and cast your vote because without you, it may become just another housing estate."

In a statement, Gary Fielding, North Yorkshire Council's corporate director of resources, said: "We are continuing to work alongside Phoenix Park CIO and other local stakeholders in relation to the project and the potential redevelopment options for the site.

"A report will be presented to members of the council's executive in December setting out the framework for approving any future expenditure on Eastfield projects, including previously identified initiatives such as the community park."

The council remained "committed to working alongside the community throughout this process" and would continue to provide support "in parallel with the ongoing development of the Town Investment Plan", he added.

The drop-in event is due to take place on 22 November from 11:00 to 15:00 GMT at St George's School, Eastfield.

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