THE search for a site for a skateboard park in Devizes has thrown up a new location.

Consultants have looked at land next to the leisure centre and have ruled that it should be considered as a suitable site.

But as the site is owned by the governors of nearby Devizes School it is unlikely they will sanction it for a skatepark as they would be liable for any injuries suffered by users.

The consultants, Tribe Enterprises, had already appraised eight sites in the town and had recommended The Green as the best site.

But Devizes Town Council, which favours the leisure centre site, asked them to look at the leisure centre area, which they did.

In a report Tribe said: "The site is on land that is owned by the high school, consisting of a number of tennis courts, netball courts and five-a-side football.

"This site would offer a good opportunity for the development of a skate facility.

"There is already a good deal of current sports usage at the site and it is in close proximity to the youth centre and, obviously, the school.

"The site is also accessible for users, parents parking and drop off and emergency vehicles."

However, Tribe concedes that the location is largely secluded with no passing traffic or people and recommends consideration of installing closed circuit television cameras.

Tribe added: "For facilities like this to work alongside more traditional sports, all involved have to be comfortable and aware of the impact it will have.

"This is still a good site, offering a number of options, and Tribe would recommend that it be considered as a serious option."

Devizes Town Council's recreation and properties committee agreed at a meeting on Tuesday night to ask Kennet District Council to consider the site as a suitable location for a skatepark.

The town council is consulting people through its newsletter, The Messenger, about The Green as a location.

Councillors are urging as many people as possible to reply to the consultation by returning the form in The Messenger to the town council.

Coun Tim Price said the leisure centre site would be a much better site than The Green.

"I am sure that councillors will feel much more comfortable with the leisure centre site as a location for a skatepark. On a personal basis I heartily endorse it," he said.

The town council has been looking for a new site for a skatepark after it was ordered to remove the equipment from its skatepark in Hillworth Park by a county court judge.

The judge accepted resident Bill Richardson's claim that the noise from the skatepark was a nuisance. The equipment was removed in February 2002.

Devizes skateboarder George Wiscombe, 17, believes most skatepark users would welcome the leisure centre site as the best location.

He said: "We originally wanted the skate park to go by the leisure centre. It would be a good site because the leisure centre provides first aid, food and toilets. It's also close to town and it would bring us more together as a skating community."

George said he and fellow skateboarders are skating in car parks and in residential roads, which is causing friction with the public.

He said: "I totally see people's viewpoint. I don't want to be skateboarding in their street but there is nowhere else to go."

Malcolm Irons, headteacher of Devizes School, said: "I don't think the site next to the leisure centre would be suitable and I strongly suspect the governors would have a similar view.

"The site is tucked away from public gaze and the governors, as landowners, would have public liability."