Councillor John Thomson at the site of the new youth centre, which he hopes is a winning scheme (16905/6)RESIDENTS have slammed the secrecy surrounding the location of the new combined skateboard park and youth club in Malmesbury, and say they are fearful of the problems it could bring.

After months of meetings behind closed doors, the former X-ograph Imaging Systems facility next to the Somerfield supermarket on Gloucester Road, was chosen as the preferred choice for the youth complex.

County council officers are now working out the financial details of the plan and the decision has been delegated to county councillors Toby Sturgis and Nancy Bryant.

The deal would involve selling the Cartmell Centre on Tetbury Hill to Persimmon for housing and using the cash to buy the nearby 4,300ft X-ograph site. Both schemes would need planning permission.

But although many people welcome the idea of better youth facilities in the town, some have criticised Coun John Thomson for the secrecy surrounding the deal.

Stuart Muir, a 51-year-old procurement manager from Reeds Farm, who lives near the X-ograph site, said: '"The perception is that this has been rubber-stamped without any approval. Are we spending money on a facility that has a long-term future?

"It all sounds flaky. How can we assess it? The community has a right to review the details. These issues need to be brought out in the open."

Mr Muir said residents moving into the Octagon Development next to the site should also be told about the skatepark plans.

And he disputed the county council's argument that the Cartmell Centre has the third highest running costs in terms of floor area of all the council's youth centres.

He said: "We have to question why we would knock down the Cartmell Centre which is different and has a lot of history."

A 59-year-old engineer from Reeds Farm, who asked not to be named, said he was concerned a combined new skateboard park and youth centre would generate extra noise and anti-social behaviour in the area.

He said: "I've seen teenagers skateboarding and throwing litter around and everything with skateboarding creates noise. This is a community issue so why isn't it discussed in the community? Why has it been a secret? I would also be concerned as to who will supervise the children at the skateboard park."

However, many have welcomed the possible scheme. Louise Bareham, an administrator from Reeds Farm, said: "I would rather kids have somewhere to go other than in car parks.'

Mayor Jacky Martin said it was time the town had a new youth centre. "I believe that a new facility will give parents the confidence to send their children to the centre and more children the confidence to socialise locally face-to-face. Too many children spend hours in front of the TV and computers. Let's encourage them to exercise and learn from each other in a safe environment, helping them to develop positively."

Coun Thomson said: "The only only piece of secrecy was the choice of site. No deal has been done and nothing has been signed. This building is modern and would be easy to convert. I hope it's a winner."