AN INDOOR Poole skatepark could be thrilling youngsters before Christmas after planning permission was secured.

Tony Hill’s dream of opening a much-needed indoor venue in Poole hit a number of snags earlier this year and the original site fell through, after he gained planning permission from Borough of Poole.

Now, in partnership with his brother Steven, he has got the go-ahead for a different site on the same Kinson Pottery Industrial Estate off Ringwood Road.

Work is already underway on the former builders merchants where skate park creators are crafting a huge bowl, flow section and obstacles to test and delight.

“Hopefully we’ll be opening before Christmas,” said Mr Hill. “It’s nearly two-thirds done now. It’s looking pretty good.”

The application was supported by Borough of Poole’s leisure services, which pointed out that Poole had no indoor skate/BMX facilities, along with children’s services.

“Over the past five years young people have been requesting support from the Borough to build a facility of this kind in the borough,” said children’s services in the report presented to the planning committee by planning officer Clare Spiller.

“Youth workers from the Borough of Poole have during this time supported groups of young people visiting such establishments. The nearest comparable facility is in Bristol.”

Lending his support, ward councillor Brian Clements said: “It should be a fantastic facility for local young people and it would be super to get it off the ground.”

However there is one fly in the ointment, a planning condition for a financial contribution of £9,500 towards a pedestrian crossing with a central refuge, near 212 Ringwood Road.

“That’s not in our business plan,” said Mr Hill. “It does need one, it’s a shame we have got to pay for it.”