Skate park plans

11:50am Tuesday 5th August 2008

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Youngsters in Malmesbury could soon be zooming about at a brand new skate park thanks to plans afoot at the county council.

The authority is looking into building a dedicated skating area at Cotswold House but members must prove it will not cause any noise pollution to the surrounding properties.

Monitoring of noise levels in the area has already begun in an effort to give youths in the town a much-needed new facility.

Building a skate park has been the top request from the youngsters of Malmesbury for over 10 years.

A temporary skate park has been brought into the centre to help with the noise monitoring, which is taking place on site over the next month.

The assessment is completed by an independent professional company and if the results prove there are no detrimental effects on surroundings residents, a planning application will be submitted.

David Whewell, head of youth work for Wiltshire County Council, said: "At every meeting that I've attended with young people this project has been their number one priority and I will do my utmost to ensure it is delivered.

"I feel strongly that we must base any planning application on fact, rather than perceptions. Young people are a part of this community and deserve our support."

Wiltshire County Council has agreed terms for a 25-year lease on Cotswold House from X-ograph to house the youth centre.

The building was refurbished and opened to the young people of Malmesbury in November 2007.

The skate park would be positioned at the rear of the building next to the football club.

And as part of the on-going refurbishment of the youth centre the back yard has been resurfaced to provide a safe surface and a closed board fence has been erected along the riverside boundary.