TEIGNMOUTH skatepark facilities are back under the spotlight in new plans being put forward by political group Teignmouth Alliance of Independents. The group, which hopes to gain seats at next year's town and district elections, is collecting signatures in support of a skatepark at Milford Park, Bitton Park Road. Milford Park was gifted to Teignbridge Council for use as a children's play park in 1950. The move comes a month before regeneration group Tomorrow's Teignmouth and Teignbridge Council step up consultations on leisure facilities on The Den. It plans to hold a public exhibition next month at Tomorrow's Teignmouth, Northumberland Place. The Den is the favoured spot for facilities that may include a skatepark, multi-use games facility, mini-golf and musical performance venue. Tomorrow's Teignmouth chairman Bill Ridley said: 'In consultations that were undertaken from 2001 to 2005, Milford Park was raised as a potential site but eventually ruled out. 'The youth opinion was that it would not be used there. 'What we want to see is something for all ages at the same place. We do not want to fragment the community and that is not part of our plans,' he said. Teignbridge Council is hoping to upgrade facilities on The Den next autumn. Phase one of the redevelopment, that includes interactive water features and an award-winning play area, was completed last year. Work has started on options for the second phase of the redevelopment of the current Spirit of Teignmouth boat-build site and the mini golf area. It aims to provide a scheme which complements the play redevelopment. But Alliance spokesman Edward Bush said that there was a lot of support for facilities instead at Milford Park. He said: 'I've talked to a lot of people and what I have heard is really heartening. 'Some senior citizens remember what it was like at Milford Park as a child and want to see something being done there, they are broadly supportive of a skate park there. 'And the kids I have talked to are supportive, too. But what we made clear is that we are not pushing them off the Den, but offering them an alternative. 'At the very least this is opening up debate and that can only be a good thing,' said Mr Bush. A Teignbridge Council spokesman confirmed that Milford Park is included in the lease to Teignmouth Rugby Club, together with the adjacent Bitton Park. 'The lease is subject to the right of the public to use it as a public park or recreation area. There are no immediate plans involving youth facilities at the park,' she said.
