FOUR members of a Hampshire parish council are to be reported to a local government watchdog after plans for a skateboard park were controversially scrapped.

The Whiteley Parish councillors went against the advice of their clerk when they voted to overturn the decision to build a skatepark on Gull Coppice playing fields next to The Meadowside Centre.

With homes close to the proposed site, four of the opposing councillors had been warned that they may have a prejudicial interest in the plans, but, contrary to the advice they were given, failed to declare any such interest.

An extraordinary meeting was called to review the scheme, which Whiteley youngsters had campaigned for years for, where it was claimed that 'new information' had come to light.

But parish council clerk Nicki Oliver told the Daily Echo that no further comments had been received either for or against the plans since they were originally approved last October.

Now one resident has decided to report the councillors to the Standards Board for England.

If they are found in breach of their code of conduct they could face being banned from holding office for up to five years.

Skating into controversy - See today's Spotlight feature under the 'More News' section.