Dear Councillors,

The Cheddar Pump Track Project aims to bring a new sporting facility to the village for the benefit of local residents and especially for young people. We see this as an fantastic opportunity to provide a safe learning ground for young people to enjoy outdoor exercise and to develop their cycling skills. The project has considerable support from the local community* and has been supported by the majority of Cheddar Parish Council throughout (see project history).

Ride Mendips have worked extremely hard to raise well over £100,000 towards the project and have never asked for any funding from Cheddar Parish Council. Ride Mendips have also worked extremely hard to overcome multiple obstacles to the project, raised by Bristol Water and members of Cheddar Parish Council, to arrive at a new location and design that addresses all substantive issues.

Despite support from the majority of parish councillors, we have faced consistent objections from a minority of councillors that we feel have actively sought to delay or stop the project. Most recently evidenced by the objection raised to the current planning application, to Sedgemoor District Council, even after it was supported by the majority of parish councillors. We do not believe that these councillors are now acting in the interest of the majority of local residents who we believe support the project*.

With time running out on funding grant deadlines, we ask for your collective commitment and accountability to realise the Cheddar Pump Track project before funding deadlines expire.

Sincerely,

All petition signatories on Change.org.

*Evidence of community support

• Community Fundraising Event March 2019: Hundreds of local residents attend both day and evening events and offer support. Over £2,000 raised towards starting the project.
• Community Fundraising Event January 2020: Hundreds of local residents attend both day and evening events and offer support. Over £5,000 raised towards starting the project.
• Planning application June 2020: Parish Council vote to support planning application. “Members support this application on the grounds that it is a good resource for the village on the condition that the access is re-routed around the bottom of the skate park”. 14 supportive comments from interested parties.
• Survey in June 2020: 410 supportive survey responses. Over 50% say they would use a pump track weekly and over 90% monthly.
• Planning Application March 2021: Parish Council vote to support planning application. 100 supportive comments from interested parties, including from the Chief Executive of the Wessex Learning Trust, The Head of Fairlands Middle School, the President of Cheddar Rugby Club, The Chair of Cheddar Football Club, he Chair of Cheddar Youth Football Club and representative of local charity The Space. It have also received backing from Sport England and the Rugby Football Union who outline no issues with the plans.