A 12-year search to find a site for an outdoor skateboard park in Devizes could be over as a planning application has been submitted to build one next to the sports pitches in Green Lane.

If the £140,000 plan is passed the skatepark could be open by May.

Devizes Area Board has been trying to find a suitable site for more than two years and believes the site at Green Lane is the best one, despite it being rejected in the past due to concerns that it would be noisy to nearby residents of Drews Park and that it was remote.

Area board manager Richard Rogers admitted the location was a compromise but said noise tests had shown there would be no impact to residents. The skate park contractor, Wheelscape, is planning to install equipment made of concrete.

He said: “The site at Green Lane is not the skaters’ first choice. It was a compromise. We did look at other sites including Station Road Car Park but there were too many problems with that, we couldn’t keep the noise down.

“Green Lane is not that far to travel, a lot of skaters might cycle there.”

There are no public toilets at the sports pitches but Mr Rogers said there is a long standing ambition by Devizes Town Council to develop the site for sports and recreation and if that happens toilets would be provided.

The area board has been working with skaters, including Chris Huzzey, 18, of Elizabeth Drive, Devizes,  to choose the contractor and on its design

He said: “I have seen the plans and it looks as though it will be one of the best ones around.

“We tried out one of Wheelscape’s skate parks and their concrete is a lot grippier than at other skate parks and is just right for skating on. I think the site at Green Lane is a good location.”

The sports pitches at Green Lane are run by Devizes Town Council and leased to them by Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, which runs nearby Green Lane Hospital.

The planning application for the skate park is in the name of the town council. Consultation onthe application runs until March 13.

It is being funded by developers’ contributions and the area board.