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'This is their sanctuary'

The unofficial skatepark has been told to close after 5 years

An unofficial skatepark in Leicester has been given 14 days to close down.

The self-made facility was created voluntarily by Steven Hinds on the site of a disused factory, which he says, used to be home to homeless people and drug users.

Steven says the owner of the land, demolished the building which was attached to his home.

He couldn't build on the land because it needs millions spending on flood defences, and so the land owner has allowed Steven to use it. He spent thousands turning it into an impromptu park for the local children as he explained to our Jo Hollis

A city council spokesperson said: “While the site at Rugby Street has proved popular over recent years, it is an unauthorised skatepark which was set up by a local resident on a piece of disused former industrial land at the side of the River Soar.
“Our noise team have received a complaint about noise nuisance and have written to the landowner.
“However, we are moving towards providing a brand-new state of the art skate park on St Margaret’s Pastures, which means local skateboarders will have a proper place to use and will no longer have to make do with this derelict waste site.
“It is being designed by professionals with the help of young skaters from Leicester to ensure it’s of the highest standard, and a fitting new sports facility for the city.
“We are due to submit plans for that by the end of July.â€

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