MEMBERS of Whiteley Parish Council are to reconsider their support of a project to build a skate park for youngsters in the village.

Members had originally backed plans for the £46,000 leisure facility close to Meadowside Leisure Centre and Whiteley Village Outlet Shopping.

But after hearing tales of noise disturbance and nuisance problems at skate parks elsewhere, an extraordinary meeting has been called to discuss the issue.

The move has sparked fury among Fareham leisure chiefs, who are funding the project and expected it to be in place before the summer was out.

Fareham council leader Sean Woodward, who lives in Whiteley, has urged residents to have their say at the meeting.

He said: "We embarked upon what I thought was a positive partnership and they were expecting their skate park in the summer and then, after delays, in time for Christmas.

"It looks like the whole thing could be chucked out and that would be devastating for the youngsters of Whiteley.

"I have a five-year-old and every time I take him to the park we are approached by young people asking when their skate park is coming.

"They are ever so keen to have it and ever so keen to look after it. It will be very sad if at the 11th hour and 59th minute it collapses. I would urge people to attend the meeting."

Whiteley Parish Council chairman Ron Finlay said members of the public would be welcome at the meeting to air their views.

He added: "Some time after giving our support, we became aware of some quite serious problems with other skate parks.

"Everyone is entitled to have their say and a meeting has been called. We feel we should do this in the interests of the people we represent.

"At the end of the meeting the way forward should become much clearer." The meeting takes place at the Meadowside Centre on September 30 at 7.30pm.

The skate park was set to be one of five funded by Fareham Borough Council, but was to be built on Winchester City Council-owned land as no suitable site could be found in Fareham.

Sixty per cent of Whiteley is managed by Fareham Borough Council, compared to 40 per cent which is Winchester City Council-run.

The parish council looks after the Winchester side and was consulted when the original planning application was submitted.