THE construction of a BMX track in Tavistock's Meadows will go ahead as soon as funding is secured, after the project was given the green light last week.

The track, which includes earth humps with grass sides, fencing and landscaping, will be built on the town's old putting green. The project is being spearheaded by the Tavi Riders group, helped by Tavistock Youth Café staff and county council youth workers.

Members of the town council, which owns the land, last week backed a decision by its properties committee earlier last month.

Cllr Anne Johnson said: 'I would like to congratulate the young people on this. They have worked very hard.'

Cllr Johnson said she was concerned that the area had been liable to flooding in the past, but the town's works superintendent, Wayne Southall, assured members that remedial work had alleviated the problem.

Cllr Ted Sherrell said the area was the best option the town council could come up with.

'It's quite a way from any housing and I really don't see noise being a problem at all.

'This is a good spot, it's central, it's safe for youngsters to get to and it's using a piece of land which hasn't been used for many years,' said Cllr Sherrell.

Cllr Debo Sellis said: 'These young people have made a concerted and constructive effort to produce this plan. I think they need to have the chance to do this.'

Town mayor Cllr Mandy Govier said she backed the project 'wholeheartedly'.

She said the Tavi Riders members, who had quietly attended many council meetings and worked hard on their plans, were to be congratulated.

'I actually think the residents at Harewood House, who will be able to see the track the most, will actually like watching the young people — it could be a huge benefit to them,' said Cllr Govier.

Deputy mayor David Whitcomb reiterated his opposition to the proposal, saying he knew of many people living in the area who were 'not happy'.

And Cllr Robin Pike said if the council had managed to find someone to run it, the area would still be a putting green — his preferred option.

But the council agreed by ten votes to four that the BMX project should go ahead.

Youth worker Vicky Lloyd said the group was 'ecstatic' at the news.

'They just couldn't contain themselves after the meeting, they all just wanted to burst!' she said.

'They almost can't believe it. It took about eight years to get the skate park going — we've been working on this for two years, so this is just huge, they are so happy.'

Vicky said she was 'so pleased' the council had listened to the needs of the young people.

'We appreciate it enormously. Their decision is going to have very positive repercussions for years to come — it could really change things for the best for young people in Tavistock,' said Vicky, who is hoping to hear good news regarding Tavi Riders' funding bid for the project by the end of the month.