13931/3GAZETTE & HERALD: NORTH Wiltshire MP James Gray has told residents of The Paddocks that they must have a 'killer' argument if they are to defeat plans for the skatepark at Westmead, Chippenham.

Mr Gray met around 30 residents at the site on Tuesday morning to discuss their concerns regarding the £90,000 park.

The public consultation period on the Westmead skatepark ended last Thursday, just as Chippenham Town Council gave its blessing for the plans to proceed. The planning application will now go to North Wiltshire District Council.

"If we are going to oppose this skatepark, you must have the right grounds to oppose it on," Mr Gray told the residents.

"You will only have three or so minutes to have your say when this comes before the council, so make sure you have an argument you can win.

"I'm aware of objections over noise, but in my view this is a weak argument," added Mr Gray.

"Objections over the skatepark impeding on the visual amenity is also a weak argument.

"The better argument against it in my view is access to the site by skaters, which is a nightmare.

"Coming through Westmead Lane is dangerous and I am aware that Hygrade has also expressed concerns over possible accidents and poor access for emergency vehicles.

"I would also advise you to contact the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and ask it to carry out an inspection on the wildlife in this area which could be affected.

"But in my opinion, what could be the killer argument could be the amenities that go underneath this site, such as the main drain and electrical cables."

The issue of the main drain which passes under the proposed site has already been raised by people from The Paddocks.

Geoffrey Nowlan showed a letter he had received from Wessex Water on August 20, which also voiced the water board's concerns that the park would be built over a strategic main.

Nancy Davey, estates referencer at Wessex Water, confirmed that inquiries were being undertaken.

"A letter has been sent to the council via one of our developers regarding the main," she said.

"I have been asked to be kept informed of correspondence."

Mr Gray also pledged to write to the council to highlight the access, amenities and safety problems.

Residents including Peter Snape, 69, welcomed Mr Gray's visit and stressed that although they appreciate the need for a skatepark, they disagree that Westmead is the right location.

"This site is ill-thought out," he said.

"Should it be built, people will be using Avenue La Fleche as a shortcut. The toilet facilities are also nil and we already have footballers going to the toilet against our garden walls.

"The skatepark should be up near the new football pitches at Stanley Fields."

While residents from The Paddocks have submitted objections, campaigners for the new facility, led by Skateinsafety2003, handed in letters and a 1,000-name petition.

"We are feeling upbeat. We handed in our own letter and petition and looked at the working file this week and there seemed to be a quite balanced number of letters in support of the park, alongside the objections," said Skateinsafety's Mike Connolly.

"We were very pleased that the town council voted to accept the planning application and we're now getting ready for the next stage.

"We understand the residents of The Paddocks have their anxieties, but we feel they have been well accounted for through provisions such as fencing, opening hours and lockable gates.

"We feel when it opens, they will be pleasantly surprised and feel it does not have the impact they are expecting."

If the plans get the go-ahead, work will start in October, with completion in December.