PEOPLE living close to the site of a proposed £110,000 skatepark for youngsters are being given the chance to have their say on the project.Residents have already forced one site on Cavendish Park at Felixstowe to be abandoned, and now council chiefs have chosen another plot of land on the adjoining Orwell Green estate.

PEOPLE living close to the site of a proposed £110,000 skatepark for youngsters are being given the chance to have their say on the project.

Residents have already forced one site on Cavendish Park at Felixstowe to be abandoned, and now council chiefs have chosen another plot of land on the adjoining Orwell Green estate.

Councillors have spent 20 years trying to provide a site for skateboarding, BMX and in-line skates at the resort without success.

Felixstowe Town Council and young people are already backing the proposals for the latest site, on open space close to Cavendish Community Church in Grange Farm Avenue, but Suffolk Coastal also wants the support of residents.

Doreen Savage, cabinet member for young people said: "Young people have been calling for a skateboard facility for many years and after lengthy discussions with various interested groups looking at different locations around Felixstowe, this appears to be the area where all the criteria regarding safety, accessibility and noise dissipation can be addressed.

"It is high time that there was a proper facility for young people to use their skateboards - we hear enough complaints about young people skateboarding in places where they pose a problem to shoppers - and I hope we can win the backing of residents for this.

"Everything is being done to keep any noise or nuisance to a minimum and we are letting those living round the open space at Orwell Green know what is being proposed so they can play their part in the development of the skatepark and make it an asset as well as providing something young people require."

The main reasons for selecting the site were to ensure sufficient distance between the skatepark and houses; easy access for youngsters; and because it is open land and not secluded, reducing the danger for young people on their own.

Not everyone is in favour though and residents met with councillors this week to discuss the project.

Councillor Mike Ninnmey, who feels the area is not suitable and Brackenbury Sports Centre should be the site, said: "There is a lot of concern and worry about the proposals and it will be interesting to see what measures the council comes up with to prevent noise being a nuisance so close to homes."

Letters are being sent to residents asking for views, and others wishing to express opinions should write to leisure services manager, Suffolk Coastal council, Melton Hill, Woodbridge, IP12 1AU.

A planning application has not yet been submitted, and residents would once again have their chance to give their views at that stage.

n What do you think of the choice of site? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk