Bowes Lyon Skatepark has been, and remains, very popular within the local community. Stephen McPartland, Member of Parliament for Stevenage, submitted an application to Historic England to have the Skatepark listed, in response to concern from local people about its future. Stevenage Borough Council published development plans in July 2015 which clearly shows Bowes Lyon Skatepark demolished and replaced by a car park.

Stephen McPartland MP said, "Although, the development plans are nonsense, and a billion pound joke on local people that will never get off the ground, they did worry local people, as we are all aware of Stevenage Borough Council's addiction to car parking charges.

"I stepped in and applied to Historic England to list the Skatepark, as it is considered a historical asset to Stevenage and holds precious memories for many of my constituents. We were so close and Historic England prepared a report for the Secretary of State, but Stevenage Borough Council vehemently opposed it being protected as a listed building. They sent a 3 page letter detailing their objections and proving beyond doubt that there had been a range of alterations to the site over the years.

"It is shocking they did not want to protect our local skatepark and its future is now certainly in doubt. Historic England had to reluctantly agree that despite its local popularity, the skatepark has been altered too much to be considered an original example that we could protect.

"Sadly, this is yet another example of Stevenage Borough Council actively working against local people and letting the town down again. Bowes Lyon is one of the few remaining concrete Skateparks, in its original form, from the 1970’s which has not been demolished or abandoned, and this is because of the devotion it has received from avid skateboarders over the past 30 years. Thanks to Stevenage Borough Council, that future is now uncertain."

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