CIVIC chiefs have given the planning all-clear to a scheme aimed at combating vandalism at the notorious Hiltingbury Recreation Ground in Chandler's Ford.

But the plans to provide a new skateboard area at the troubled open space were opposed by some local residents who claimed that the new site - ten metres from Hiltingbury Road at its junction with Ashdown Road - was no further from houses than the existing graffiti-scarred ramps.

Seven householders wrote letters of objection to the council. Their prime concern was noise coming from youths in the rec day and night.

Eastleigh Council's Chandler's Ford and Hiltingbury Local Area Committee was told that an earth bank and new trees would be included in the new skateboard ramp and jumps scheme to reduce noise reaching houses. But Southampton architect and Chandler's Ford resident Neil Holmes told the committee it simply moved skateboarding from one lot of residents to others.

Councillor Colin Davidovitz - the only committee member not to vote for the scheme - said skateboarders would benefit from a more remote location. He said: "They probably want to be as far away from adults as adults want to be from them."

But local area co-ordinator Andy Milner insisted the new site was further from houses and said he hoped moving skateboarding to the edge of the rec would reduce anti-social behaviour. "It means the police can drive past without heavily interfering with activities," he told the committee.

Mr Milner added that the ramps would be topped with a fibrous compound rather than steel or plywood and would be quieter than any surface used on skateboard facilities to date.

Councillor Ernest Pullen suggested that skateboard facilities caused vandalism and gang warfare between schools but said he was impressed that the police supported the scheme and wanted to help pay for it.

Committee chairman Councillor Godfrey Olson said: "I don't want us to treat young

people as aliens, setting them aside and incarcerating them in a fence."

He added he had met young people at the existing skateboard equipment and their "possessive attitude" had given him hope they would look after the new equipment.