SUPPORTERS of plans for a skate park in Portishead are challenging the decision by North Somerset Council not to allow it to be built at the town’s Lake Grounds.

Former town councillor Liese Stanley, who has campaigned for a skate park in Portishead for years, says she believes the authority’s decision not to grant a lease on the land to the Portishead Skatepark Project (PSP) is unlawful.

She said: “Solicitors have advised that the decision to refuse a lease to the PSP is unlawful and susceptible to a judicial review challenge. The grounds for judicial review are that North Somerset Council failed to take into account the needs of teenagers in the town when making their decision.”

PSP has been searching for a suitable site for the past five years and the only two which have met the criteria for a successful skate park have been ruled out by North Somerset Council.

Plans to site the facility at the seafront beauty spot received backing from Portishead Town Council and the public. A formal planning application received support from 450 residents and only 31 objections; planning permission was granted last year after an appeal.

While the fight to site the park at the Lake Grounds continues, town councillor Peter Burden has suggested looking into the possibility of using part of the disused golf course in Nore Road as a wheels park which could be used by skaters, BMX bikes and scooters.

Speaking at a town council meeting Mr Burden said he would arrange a meeting with members of PSP and district councillors to discuss taking the matter forward.