THE long-running battle over a skateboard park for Whiteley looks likely to rumble on as parish councillors are giving the plans serious consideration again.

Youngsters' dreams were dashed after a controversial U-turn on the longed-for facility.

But following the resignation of four councillors who vetoed the plans, remaining members of Whiteley Parish Council have decided to look again at building a skatepark in the village.

Chairman Councillor Pat Wright said: "We have looked for other possible sites but at the moment we can't find any.

"We think money is still available so we will revisit the decision six months on. We will look again at it at the end of March.

"I'm still in favour of the skatepark, but it will be up to the people of Whiteley.

"We wouldn't make a decision without a public meeting and plenty of advertisement."

Jim Tyler, father of 13-year-old Alice and Sofi, seven, supported the skatepark as former chairman of Whiteley Community Association.

Mr Tyler said: "It's great news that it could be back on. I know my eldest daughter will make good use of it.

"It's nice to see, but it does seem to have taken a lot of time and rumbled on too long."

The move came this week so civic leaders in Fareham could consider allowing for the facility in forthcoming budget talks.

The £46,000 skatepark and a multi-use games facility on Gull Coppice playing fields next to the Meadowside Centre are to be jointly funded by Fareham Borough Council and Winchester City Council, which both control part of Whiteley.

Following the parish council decision, Fareham's council leader Councillor Sean Woodward added: "It is my fervent hope that we get the skatepark in place for this summer.

"It is much-needed and this is the only site. Fareham Council is still prepared to pay for it."