Skaters and BMX bikers in Deeside have been given hope they may soon be able to call upon high quality new facilities.
Councillors on the Marr area committee yesterday backed a lease for land at Bellfield Park in Banchory where a new skatepark could take shape.
The Banchory Skatepark Group (BSG) is behind the scheme and hopes to improve upon the existing ramp on offer to skaters.
The ramp would be demolished and the land would form part of the new facility which the group has said would be an “all out” park.
Bruce Skinner, a member of the BSG, said: “It’s really the start of the journey because we now need to get the approval of local people before we can apply for the lease. The hard work starts now.
“I think for Banchory as a town there’s not necessarily a whole lot on offer, I do think this will be great for youngsters who want to get involved in alternative sports like skating and BMXing.
“There’s a great camaraderie and sense of community within those sports, I was a part of it when I was younger so I can definitely see the benefit it will have.
“I think it will be really beneficial, particularly for those kids who maybe aren’t suited to playing football, rugby or other more traditional sports.”
Because the wider park is part of common good land the plans will have to overcome a number of hurdles before the project can move forward.
A community consultation will have to be held to demonstrate support for the proposal which will then provide the basis for a common good order to be granted by a sheriff.
Once this stage has been passed the group will be required to go through the standard planning process with the council.
The BSG also plans to carry out a feasibility study, which it estimates will cost about £12,000, before it applies for external grants to help pay for the construction of the park.
