BASILDON Council is considering investing hundreds of thousands of pounds in a new skatepark following the refurbishment of two others in the borough.

Victoria Park in Laindon has been identified as the preferred location for the skatepark, considering it to be the most feasible and accessible option.

According to a council report, the project will have an estimated budget of £200,000, and would be partly funded by contributions from property developers.

This follows the approval of a £500,000 investment in replacing two skate parks in Lake Meadows and Northlands Park in Basildon last year.

The council's Leisure and Environment Committee met last night (Monday, 31 January) to discuss the proposals.

Cllr Kevin Wingfield (Con, Laindon Park) said Victoria Park is currently underutilised, and that a skatepark was unlikely to cause disturbances for neighbours.

He said at the meeting: "It's a great benefit to our local kids who will have a greater opportunity to get out, get active on their own doorstep, not having to travel across town to anywhere else for their youth services, and it will come at no cost to them."

He also reminded councillors that skateboarding is now an Olympic sport in which Team GB scored medals at the most recent games in Tokyo and that this had led to a large increase locally in the sport.

Cllr Kerry Smith (Ind, Nethermayne) said he was glad Victoria Park had been chosen instead of Great Berry Open Space, which was also being considered.

He told the committee: "I am absolutely delighted you're now going for Victoria Park Laindon, it will fit perfectly."

He also suggested it was a safer location for children because there are allotments nearby, with people available to help should a young person hurt themselves.

Manor House Recreation Ground, Pound Lane Recreation Ground and Elizabeth Way were also being considered as possible locations for a skatepark, according to the report.

The report continues to say the budget for the park will vary depending on location and size, but is estimated to be in the region of £200,000.

There is also approximately £40,000 available from Section 106 contributions from property developers, specifically for improvements to Victoria Park.

A section 106 contribution is when a developer agrees to pay a planning authority, usually local councils, to reduce the impact of their developments on the community.

The remainder of the budget is likely to come from capital funding, the report continues.

In September last year, the committee approved the refurbishment of skateparks in Northlands Park in Pitsea and Lake Meadows in Billericay, replacing them with new concrete versions.

The investment across both projects came to £500,000, according to the report.

But a gap in provision was identified in the Laindon area.

The plans will now go out for public consultation.