A computer-generated impression of how the proposed skatepark would lookGAZETTE & HERALD: YOUNG skaters have presented a tantalising glimpse of their own vision for a new £90,000 skatepark at Westmead playing fields.

The result of months of planning and consultation between members of Skateinsafety 2003, North Wiltshire District Council and a freelance skatepark designer, the youngsters' design features an impressive concrete park, complete with jumps and ramps, which would be built on unused land alongside the River Avon.

The young skaters hope that work will start later this summer in time for an autumn opening. But the design must now enter the planning process and there are still a few major obstacles to cross, including opposition from residents living nearby.

Skateinsafety founders Mike Connolly and Geoff Faulkner, who have led the campaign for a new skatepark since the closure of the Monkton Park site in 2002, said the design represents a great deal of hard work by the young skaters.

"The design has been a group effort," explained Mr Connolly.

"We began with a site meeting last October with Nick and about 20 young people and parents. We organised a lunch at the Jubilee rooms in the Market Place and the young people came up with an outline design which Nick took away and turned into a site plan.

"We are very grateful for the help of Nick Flyte, a skatepark designer from Wheelscape, who has come to Chippenham on Sundays or weekday evenings to work with young people and council officers on preparing the design."

But the plans for a new skatepark at Westmead have met with fierce opposition by residents of The Paddocks, whose homes look out onto the proposed site.

Residents like Peter Doggett and Mike Osborne say the riverside location is unsuitable for a skatepark because of its proximity to the river.

They also believe it will result in increased noise levels, which could de-value their homes and say that if necessary they will seek legal advice to prevent it being built.

"Fourteen other sites which have been considered have been ruled out, some of them because they were too close to water and trees but you can't get closer to the river than this site," said Mr Doggett.

"The council say they are consulting us and we have attended meetings, but it seems that all of our questions remain unanswered."

Mr Osborne agreed: "This is not the right place for a skatepark and we intend to fight it all the way."

Gwyn De-arth, North Wiltshire District Council's countryside and community facilities team leader stressed that the residents' concerns were being addressed.

"Noise tests have been carried out on the field at Westmead and will also be done in residents' gardens and we will continue to consult closely with residents in all stages of the project their views and concerns are important to us," he said.

As well as contending with resident opposition, Skateinsafety was also shocked to hear it may also have to sacrifice two of the park's jumps to pay for a security fence.

Mike Connolly explained: "It looks like it will have to be a two-stage project as the North Wilts Environment department are insistent on a large security fence which has to be paid for from the skatepark funds.

"We are disappointed because this is likely to cost at least £15,000 and means two jumps will have to wait until next year.

"But we remain very grateful to the support we've received from a number of councillors, Gwyn De-arth at NWDC, The Chippenham Borough Lands Trust, Chippenham Town Council, North Chippenham Churches and the many parents and young people who have contacted us and continued to express a need for this facility in a safe and central part of Chippenham."