PLANS for a skate park in Whiteley were approved last night in the latest twist to a saga that has split the community.

Parish councillors agreed unanimously to build a skatepark on fields behind the Meadowside Leisure Centre. Once the equipment is ordered, it could be in place in just three months.

Teenagers, have campaigned for years for more facilities. Skateboarder Steve Turner, 15, of Hispano Avenue, said: "At the moment we have to use pieces of wood and things we can find or we have to travel a long way to other skateparks.

"A lot of my friends have been really involved in helping with the designs and we will look after it."

The meeting also heard from one resident who spoke about concerns over noise and nuisance problems.

In response, measures have been put in place to allay fears including closed-circuit television, a working party and noise surveys to monitor problems, and even the option to remove the facility if necessary.

Chairman Pat Wright said: "The decision is not going to please everybody. It's one of those things.

"We've put conditions in place and I hope the residents are respected."

Fareham's leisure chief Councillor Connie Hockley added: "We can't continue to moan at the kids for hanging around the streets if we don't give them something else to do. My experience is that the kids look after them because they're in their ownership."

Fareham Council has put aside £46,000 to pay for it. Once installed, the equipment, maintenance and staffing will be the responsibility of Winchester City Council.

Parish councillors originally gave their support to the scheme, before it was controversially scrapped in a move that led to the resignations of chairman Ron Finlay, along with city councillor Kate Chapman, deputy chairman Kevin Gristock and John Hall.

Some of the "no" voters were accused of voting against it because of the proximity of their homes to the site, but they claimed new evidence had come to light over noise problems at similar skateparks.

Mr Finlay, Mr Gristock, Mr Hall and Councillor Mike Anthony are currently being investigated by the Standards Board for England over the U-turn.