THERE are fears that there will be new attempts to build a skateboard park on a playing field at Greenbridge.

Back in 2001 Stratton Parish Council wanted to build a skateboard park on the field off Dorcan Way but were stopped by a covenant, which prevents building on the land.

But now the parish council is looking to have the covenant removed.

And borough councillors fear it is because they still want to build a skateboard park on the site.

But the parish council says it has no plans for a skateboard park and it just wants to exercise greater control over its land.

Coun Glenn Smith (Con, Covingham and Nythe) was elected to Swindon Council in 2003 after campaigning against the plans because residents had voted against the idea of a skate park on the site, in a referendum held by the parish council.

"If they are doing this to get the covenant removed just for a matter of principle then they are wasting money," he said.

"But if they still want to put skateboard equipment on that site then it is just deceitful.

"The parish council is there to represent the people and the residents have told them they don't want this.

"I would like to know what they are up to and I am sure the residents would be keen to find out as well."

But the parish council, which owns the land, says it does not want to build a skateboard park now.

"There is no plan at the moment to put a skateboard park there but we want the right for future councillors to make that decision if they want to," said Coun John Foley from the parish council.

"We want the right to do what we want with the land.

"That land belongs to the all the residents of Stratton parish.

"It is within our remit to make sure it is available for the people of Stratton parish."

Coun Foley said the parish council was in the process of going to the Land Tribunal to see if it can have the covenant lifted.

But he added that the parish council would not have to spend money trying to have the covenant if the borough council agreed to lift it.

"This is purely politics," said Coun Foley, who is chairman of the ruling Labour group on the parish council.

"We try to keep politics out of our rationale up here."

But Coun Justin Tomlinson (Con, Abbey Meads), Swindon Council's lead member for Swindon Services said he would not agree to lift the covenant.

"The covenant prevents the parish council putting skateboard equipment on the site," he said.

"Therefore we intend to defend the covenant.

"If they do not wish to put skateboard equipment on that land they have no reason to remove the covenant."

Coun Tomlinson said he would be happy to approve any plans to put playground equipment on the site and would do so swiftly.

Isabel Field