NUISANCE youths loitering on street corners could soon be a thing of the past - as plans for a skateboard and BMX park finally get under way. Police in Cheddar have raised a number of concerns about youths hanging around outside shops, drinking and causi

NUISANCE youths loitering on street corners could soon be a thing of the past - as plans for a skateboard and BMX park finally get under way. Police in Cheddar have raised a number of concerns about youths hanging around outside shops, drinking and causing a nuisance, but officers have nowhere to send them. The lack of facilities for teenagers in the area has been an issue for the local action team (LAT) and the police for a long time. Parish councillor Ceri Davies said: "I think the council should support the LAT in moving forward with the skate park, but I have great reservations about it at the moment. We need to be mindful of all the implications. Are the children going to be looked after at the skate park, for example?"A number of councillors also raised concerns about lighting at the proposed facility at Sharpham Road playing fields and the amount of noise it will generate. At previous meetings of the parish council, members said youths loitering on village streets and under-age drinking had become a serious problem. One councillor said: "We are letting the youth of this village down. We should provide something for them to do at night."Cheddar's LAT has been campaigning for a skate park facility for months, and wanted the support of the council before finding out how much it will cost. The LAT and police measured out a 34m x 34m area on the playing fields where the skate and BMX facilities would be built. Once the building is complete, the LAT will consider a youth shelter at the same site. Cheddar Parish Council agreed to put in a planning application on the LAT's behalf to save money. The LAT will now draw up detailed plans of the park and consult with local suppliers before the parish council sends an application to Sedgemoor District Council.