Meeting on Kessingland skatepark

The controversy over building a skatepark for the young people of a north Suffolk village rumbled on last night as the organisation blocking the plans was accused of snubbing the wishes of the community.

As previously reported, demand is growing for young people to be given their own skate and BMX park in Kessingland, near Lowestoft.

Last night, Kessingland Parish Council discussed the plans for the �88,000 park on the Francis Road playing field, which is owned by the council but is leased and managed by the Kessingland Sports and Social Club (KSSC), which opposes the project.

The meeting heard that the vast majority of the community wants the park, with the plans supported by parish and district councils, Waveney MP Peter Aldous, and the police.

And as councillors voiced their approval for the young people's skatepark dreams, it was revealed that one of the main opponents to the scheme, KSSC trustee Judy Lawson, had resigned from the parish council without giving a reason.

Parish council chairman Liam Martin said: 'There is �88,000 sitting there waiting to be spent. Ninety-nine per cent of the population want it (the park) and 1pc are against it.'

Resident Alan Bagley spoke at the meeting. He said the KSSC should be 'horrified' at its opposition and that its members should each look to their 'moral compass' about the decision.

The KSSC opposes the park as it says it would have to fund running it and there is other land for it.