A group of teenagers have launched a petition backing plans for a new skate park – despite objections from people living nearby.
They are calling for Sprowston Town Council to go ahead with proposals to build the £100,000 park on land off Blue Boar Lane.
More than 400 people have so far signed the online petition in favour of the scheme, which would be funded by developers Norfolk Homes.
But the plans have already come under fire from people living near to the proposed site over fears of antisocial behaviour and noise. They submitted their own petition last month to the council, with more than 50 signatures.
Now, the Sprowston Youth Engagement Project (SYEP) is hoping to persuade councillors to move ahead with the scheme.
Megan Blazer, 17, chair of the SYEP young committee, said: 'Whenever the topic is mentioned, the kids [at the youth club] are incredibly enthusiastic in wanting a skate park built locally. I think without places such as a skate parks, anti-social behaviour is more likely to occur, because young people feel there is nowhere they belong.'
Clare Lincoln, 36, who runs SYEP, said members had been asking for a skate park in the town since 2011.
She added: 'There are not many facilities of this type locally for our guys. And it's not just young people who want it, it's parents too. They want a place that will encourage their children to get out of the house.'
Plans for the new skate park, located next to the Tesco roundabout in Sprowston, have been in the pipeline for almost a year. But people living on Manor Reach have complained about the proximity to their properties.
In a letter to the town council, they said: 'We the residents would ask the parish council and Broadland District Council to establish a full consultation period, so that residents of the Manor Reach development and other local people can express their views in detail.'
The letter expressed concern about the potential for anti-social behaviour, noise and safety issues given its location near to a 'major' roundabout.
Norfolk Homes agreed to pay for the new skate park as part of its new housing development off Blue Boar Lane.
June Hunt, town clerk, said the company would be meeting with residents later this month.
'The council has received representations from both the residents and the skaters,' she added. 'The reaction from the residents is to present a petition to the Council to review plans for a skate park.'
SYEP is due to discuss the issue further on Wednesday.
Are you campaigning for a new community facility? Call Luke Powell on 01603 772684.
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