AFTER years of hard work campaigners for Beaminster’s skatepark have reached an impasse.

Following extensive consultation the Beaminster Activity Area Development Project (BAAD) members have come up with a provisional plan for the skatepark and refurbishment of the play area in the Memorial Playing Field.

BAAD secretary Cllr Janet Page told councillors at their meeting on Monday that the group had gone as far as it could without either becoming a charity, a company or becoming part of the town council.

She said: “The group has been debating for ages whether it turns itself into a company with a constitution, or a charity and we have been looking at other towns which is not helpful because town councils seem to be funding the whole lot.

“We have got to the point now where the group has done lots and lots of consultation with the town and we had a huge response to the questionnaire. People really did want us to go ahead.

“We have been talking with one skatepark developer who is very keen to do it but we know we have come to a point when we need to ask for three tenders.

“We have come to the point when we need a developer on board because they know what they are talking about and we don’t.

“We have thought long and hard and we would like to join up with the council. We know we won’t get some grants that we could have otherwise but we know that grants are there for councils too.”

Cllr Page said forming a company with a constitution as the Pavilion group is was not an option.

She said: “The Pavilion group raises funds through hiring out the Pavilion. The BAAD group would have no ability to do that unless they charge the young people to use the facility and that would be unthinkable.”

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Vice chairman Robin Cheeseman wanted to make sure that incorporating the group into the council was not going to divert support from the youth club.

He said: “I still think the young club should be the priority. I agree this is a very good worthwhile project but I am just making sure it doesn’t detract in any way from the new Phoenix youth club.”

Cllr Page said money was already put by in the council’s budget for the skatepark.BAAD chairman Cllr Terry Beswarick said: “We have done enough talking we want to start getting something concrete we are getting fed up with going round in circles.”

Councillors agreed to welcome BAAD into the council.