AFTER a two-year campaign and months of fervent speculation, Ealing Council has announced it will apply for permission to build a skate park in Hanwell.

The council made the announcement following a recent consultation, in which a majority showed support for the scheme, earmarked for Elthorne Park.

The issue had seen passionate cases for and against in recent weeks. Critics, including Elthorne Park High School, claim the skate park could be a magnet for anti-social behaviour and blight the landscape.

Supporters say it will give young people something to do and will be constructed with due consideration for residents and the surrounding environment.

Councillor Phil Taylor, cabinet member for customer and community services, said: "I'm very pleased that we can push ahead with plans and present them to the council's planning committee.

"It's important that we provide these kind of facilities for young people to enjoy. I would like to assure residents that if the plans are given the green light, we will monitor the skate park to ensure it is being used responsibly."

Piers Leigh, who spearheaded the campaign to get the park built, said: "We've been trying to get this skate park built for two years and we've had a large amount of support.

"This shows how much local people are in favour of getting this thing built and we're obviously very pleased."

A statement issued by Hanwell Community Forum said: "We are extremely disappointed, although not surprised, that the council is to proceed with positioning Ealing's skate park in Elthorne Park.

"There are concerns that the proposed site would not be supervised. It is too far away from Boston Road for it to be continually monitored informally by passers-by and it is proposed that CCTV, seldom effective when someone is intent on antisocial behaviour, would only be monitored for part of the day, while the park would be open for the full 24 hours."

If planning consent is given the council will spend £200,000 building the skate park.

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