PLANS for a new skatepark in Ringwood could be a step closer to fruition after a meeting of the town council due to take place this week.

Members of the recreation and open spaces committee at Ringwood Town Council are to request the release of £150,000 funds and have the final vote on the design of the park for Carvers Recreation Ground.

The meeting is set to take place on Wednesday.

The idea for the skatepark came after the council received various petitions from local youngsters to replace and modernise the current facility.

A group, Campaign 4 Carvers Skatepark, was set-up, and raised £5,000 towards the new park, with a commitment to continue fundraising for its ongoing upkeep.

The previous council had agreed to contribute £150,000 from developer contributions towards the building, on the proviso the park would be made of concrete, sunken to ensure noise was reduced with some lighting also provided.

Since then, tenders have been sent out and returned, with youth groups and other residents consulted.

In a report to the committee, it is revealed that option four - which costs £150,000 but doesn't have lights - is the preferred choice.

"While park four is the preferred design from young people it does not include lighting columns for the illumination of the park during the evening, although this was not a consideration for young people in selecting the park.

"The majority of young people have stated that they would not be allowed out at night and so the lights would not be needed."

Despite option one fulfilling all the criteria, councillors are being recommended to vote with the fourth choice, selected by the youth groups.

"Experience of such participation in other areas has demonstrated that the parks are better used and better looked after when young people feel they have been consulted.

"Selecting a design with no lighting will have no effect on the available budget and would in fact reduce costs in the future with no energy costs to pay", the report concludes.

If approved, New Forest District Council will be advised of the winning tender and requested to release the funds.