PLANS for a skate and BMX park in Okehampton were unanimously supported by West Devon Council's planning committee this week.
Giving the youngsters somewhere to socialise and take part in a healthy pursuit was seen as 'vitally important and very positive' by members who have given the go-ahead for a £25,000 facility on land to the rear of Brayhams Terrace.
Despite concerns from some nearby residents that the site could become a haven for drinking and be poorly supervised, councillors felt the benefits outweighed these concerns and the police were of the opinion that it could well reduce anti-social behaviour.
All three ward members for Okehampton — Cllrs Jayne Hill, Joan Pauley and Bill Bourne — spoke strongly in favour of the scheme although they felt the river, which was seven metres from where activities would take place, should be fenced off in light of two fatalities at this location in the last two decades.
Cllr Hill said: 'I feel it is very important to give the young people of our community a sense of belonging and as adults this is our way of saying to them that they are valued.
'Youngsters have to have somewhere to socialise and most of it at the moment is done in shop doorways and in the street — once this park is up and running I am sure the police will keep an eye on it.'
Okehampton Town Council representative Cllr Pat Snell also attended the meeting to give support to the skate park. The authority has been a key figure in securing the site and helping Okehampton Community Recreation Association (OCRA) with its plans.
'We are always hearing in the news about young troublemakers, but here is a case of young people working hard to get things for themselves and they deserve our support,' she said.