PLANS for a long-awaited skate park in Bishop's Waltham have finally been submitted to Winchester planners.

Youngsters have been campaigning for the facility, to be situated in Priory Park, for five years.

Earlier this year, the Daily Echo reported how some campaigners were worried that Bishop's Waltham Parish Council was dragging its heels over the plans.

They hoped the park could be ready in time for the summer, but council chairman Gideon Lake said they needed to ensure every angle had been covered to prevent the plans being refused at the first hurdle. He said: "We've covered every point that is likely to be raised by planning officers. We've carried out noise surveys and spoken to suppliers and that's why it has taken so long to submit the plans. We are hoping that the end result will mean the application will go through."

Yvette Spaven, 45, of Kestrel Close, said even though the plans had been lodged, youngsters from the village were holding their breath.

"I don't think the kids will really believe it until they see it," she said.

"They've waited so long for this and worked so hard on it. But at least their efforts will mean the other children have something to do."

Bishop's Waltham county councillor Peter Mason said: "The skate park has been an ongoing issue in Bishop's Waltham and Team Skate, the campaign group, have helped to raise a lot of money themselves.

"It is definitely something I approve of. We will see what the planning department thinks about it."

A three-week consultation period for the skate park has begun and it is hoped a decision will be reached in June.