A SITE has been picked for a skatepark in Loughton after a public consultation.

Town council-owned land next to the allotments in Willingale Road was chosen by people from the town and plans are being drawn up by the skatepark users' committee.

The council has been promising a skatepark for young people for years and groups including Loughton Youth Project and the police have been campaigning for one.

Town councillor Suzanne Harper said that she was “delighted” with the progress made.

“We have a site over the road from the houses, next to the school and the beauty of this site is that it will have gates, so they won't be able to be in there overnight,” she added. “We're delighted.”

The council has been putting money away for the project over the years and the skatepark will be paid for with these saved funds.

The design and lay-out of the ramps is being put together by a group of young skaters, headed by Loughton Youth Project manager Nick Robinson.

Once finished, their design will the subject of another public consultation before planning permission is applied for.