A PLANNING application for a skate park in Monkton Park will be submitted by February 5 following a shock announcement at Chippenham town council last Wednesday (Jan 13).

The technical work needed at the Monkton Park site, which was chosen by the Chippenham Area Board, has now been complete.

Town councillor and Area Board chair, Linda Packard, said the design, which has been refined through engagement with skate park users via the Local Youth Network, was complete.

She said: "I expect a planning application to go in very shortly, hopefully after many years we will get the skate park the people of Chippenham want and deserve. The design looks great, it’s what the people have wanted for a long time.”

The design has been approved by Wiltshire Council and planning application documents are being prepared.

Richard Williams, Community Youth Officer for Chippenham said: “When we’ve asked young people what kind of activities they want in Chippenham a lot of them have requested a skate park.

"We’ve had meetings to discuss the potential design of the skate park and young people were involved in these meetings talking to contractors about the design so it meets their needs.

"I’m looking forward to the outcome of the planning application and hope on behalf of young people and skaters of all ages that we can press ahead.”

Previous attempts to build the skate park have been met with major opposition by nearby residents.