A LARGE indoor skate park could be built in South Lakeland after a £60,000 bid for funding was submitted to the district council.

South Lakeland District Council's overview and scrutiny committee heard a report from its recreation group, which came up with the plan for "wheeled sports facilities".

SLDC's interim corporate director Karen Couldridge said the skate park could be built on Beezon Fields, in Kendal, in the next five years.

However, she said that was not soon enough, adding: "Young people need something now. In five years, it will be a whole new set of young people."

To address this, she said the current facilities across the River Kent from South Lakeland Magistrates Court could be upgraded with stainless steel equipment that could be moved into the new facility when it was built. The bid has come as part of work to develop SLDC's cultural strategy.

Coun Graham Donning said SLDC should push for even more skate parks: "I would hate to stop at one facility, it's a wide district that we cover."

The chairman of the recreation group, Coun David Foot, said: "There's massive demand out there, undoubtedly. Demand has increased in recent years and it's likely to continue.

"It's not a fad. It was around in my day and it will probably be around in my grandchildren's day."

Coun Foot said his group's research showed that insurance was one of the biggest brakes on getting private companies to come on board, but added premiums would be lower if the insurers were brought in from the start.

He recognised any new skatepark would cause some difficulties, adding: "There will be objections but it's always going to be a balance.

"There's always a tension between groups but you can reduce that tension by appropriate siting, landscaping and the use of sound damping."

The committee report concluded activities like skateboarding provided young people with opportunities for beneficial exercise and social education. The committee's recommendations will now go forward to SLDC's cabinet for approval.

l Teenagers' dreams of a skate park in Kirkby Stephen have edged a step closer to reality with news that the town's Extreme Sports Association has raised £1,000 towards a facility that could cost £50,000. Town councillors heard a site on the football field next to the mountain rescue base has been found to house the park.