PLANS for a skatepark in Chippenham took another step forward when Borough Lands trustees gave their blessing for land the charity owns at Westmead to be used.

But campaigners for the new skatepark are still not home and dry yet because the plans must now be passed by the current tenants of the land, Chippenham Town Council.

After months of wrangling and the dismissal of more than 20 alternative skatepark sites by North Wiltshire District Council, the charity stepped into the breach last month, offering the Westmead land. Trustees met last week and made the offer official.

Chippenham Town Council leader Sandy Webb said a number of requirements needed to be satisfied before the plans are given the all clear.

She said the Westmead land is on the flood plain and therefore inquiries must be made about its suitability with the Environment Agency.

"The question of who would pay for the upkeep, maintenance and general staffing of the skatepark is also a key issue," she said.

The proposed site for the new skatepark is an unused area of grassland inside Westmead playing fields which is bordered by the River Avon and Avenue La Fleche.

Although the land was previously discounted because it is on the flood plain, David Purton from the Borough Lands believes it closely adheres to the criteria laid down by the district council. He said he had conducted a suitability survey on several of the sites owned by the charity. But only Westmead fulfilled the criteria on access, sufficient distance from residential areas and the provision of other facilities such as public toilets.

"Unlike Monkton Park, it also has facilities in place such as toilets and because of the main road there is already a lot of background noise," he said.