Skating into controversy

IT was supposed to be a done deal. After years of campaigning and waiting for their own skatepark, youngsters in one Hampshire village thought they had hit the jackpot.

And they had reason to celebrate. Local councillors had voted for the imaginative £46,000 scheme on nearby open land at Whiteley. That was a year ago, and skateboard enthusiasts knew the time when the park would be opened was drawing closer.

But it turned out their optimism was misplaced. Instead of going ahead with the scheme, councillors recently decided to call a special meeting where they voted to overturn their earlier decision.

But if the saga has been a sour lesson for youngsters in whether to trust local politicians, the decision has also raised eyebrows among some adults.

What was noted was how several of the councillors who voted against the plan, including the council's own chairman, actually live close to the proposed skateboard site.

What's more, four of the opposing councillors didn't register an interest in the outcome of the debate.

Now all four may be reported to a local government watchdog. And if they are found in breach of their code of conduct they could face being banned from holding office for up to five years.

Last month, plans to build the skateboard park on Gull Coppice playing fields, next to The Meadowside Centre, were controversially scrapped by five votes to four in an extraordinary meeting called by chairman Ron Finlay.

It was claimed that "new information" had come to light from residents who opposed the scheme.

But clerk to the council 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.

By taking part in the vote, some councillors acted against Mrs Oliver's advice. She warned them that because they lived close to the development they may have a prejudicial interest.

Two councillors declared a personal interest in the scheme but none of them felt their decision would be prejudiced.

It is for that reason that mother of two Elizabeth Hobson, of Leafy Lane, Whiteley, has decided to report the councillors to the Standards Board for England.

"Every time we try to get any facilities for children in Whiteley there is always this element of backlash from residents who live next to The Meadowside," she said.

"They seem to think they have a God-given right to stop any development just because they live right next to it. At least three or four who voted own properties adjoining or overlooking the land. That is a vested interest that should be declared.

Parish councillor Robert Backhouse, who voted in favour of the park, resigned following the meeting. He told the Daily Echo he had already been planning on leaving, but the skate park decision, which he labelled "absolutely appalling", had helped make up his mind.

Mrs Oliver said that four councillors had acted contrary to the advice she had given them prior to the September 30 meeting.

"Four of those who voted against the skateboard park live very close to the land. I think they should have declared a prejudicial interest. They acted contrary to my advice," she said.

"Holding a meeting was also contrary to my advice," she added, pointing out that no new evidence had been brought forward.

"The parish council had received no further information since the last decision either to support it or to object to it. The chairman used his own powers to call the meeting."

Parish council chairman Ron Finlay told the Daily Echo: "We are, as councillors, duty bound to vote in the best interests of the residents we represent.

"The decision taken in October 2003 to go ahead with the skateboard park was made with the knowledge of skateboarding at the time.

"But it became apparent that other parks that have been built and opened were subsequently causing problems for residents nearby."

He added that cases of residents suing councils for compensation over skateboard parks had been explored, as well as an instance where one had to be taken out as a result of residents' complaints. It transpired that it cost a great deal more to take it out than it did to put it in," he said. "With all that information at our disposal it would have been remiss of us not to explore the matter again.

"I called the meeting at the request of another councillor."

Sean Woodward, leader of Fareham Council, said: "Declarations of interest are a matter for the individual, but I hope none of them regret their decision if any youngster in Whiteley is injured on one of many makeshift skate ramps that will continue to be constructed there. A year has been totally wasted and myself and the mayor, David Swanbrow, intend to dedicate ourselves to finding an alternative site."

Sheila Campbell, leader of landowners and project partners Winchester City Council, said: "I believe the site that had been chosen for the skateboard park was the best site for it available in Whiteley.

"That was what the noise report which our officer had with him at the meeting said. But unfortunately the chairman decided not to call the officer to speak."

Whiteley Community Association chairman Jim Tyler said: "We thought it was all done and dusted last year. It is an appalling decision for them to go back on their word."