Plans to revitalise facilities for young people in Beaminster have taken a major step forward.

Beaminster Town Council has lodged a planning application with West Dorset District Council to ask permission to install a skatepark on Memorial Playing Fields.

It comes as work begins on another phase of the project to boost facilities: building a play park on the fields. In February, the Southern Dorset Local Action Group (SDLAG) awarded more than £70,000 in funding for the new play area.

Now, town leaders are looking to the long-awaited skatepark.

Poole-based Maverick Industries has come up with a design, which it says is ‘bespoke’ with a ‘fresh approach’. A design statement submitted as part of the planning application states: “Due to the proximity of local housing at the proposed site we have also paid great attention to noise levels and designed the space accordingly.”

Further documents submitted to WDDC state that skateparks can reduce youth nuisance and crime, and promote inclusion among young people. The application adds: “The local police are fully on board and supportive of this project and will continue to monitor use of the site and deal with any anti-social behaviour should it arise.”

Cllr Janet Page said that if WDDC grant permission, funding still has to be sought to make the idea a reality. But she welcomed the progress, which she said has been a ‘long time coming’.