Liberal Democrat leader of Cornwall Council, councillor Adam Paynter, visited Dracaena Playing Fields to voice his support for the Falmouth skatepark project.

Councillor Paynter met with members of the skatepark committee who have been instrumental in putting together the proposal, as well as local councillor Mathew McCarthy, Falmouth mayor councillor Grenville Chappel and town clerk Mark Williams.

During the visit, councillor Paynter said: "This is a brilliant community-lead development that will benefit the whole town, as well as the surrounding parishes. It will cater for a huge range of sports, from skateboarding through to BMXing and I am keen to support the excellent work that has gone into this ambitious scheme." Councillor Mathew McCarthy said: "The whole community is very excited to see the proposals and really supportive of the scheme. The new skatepark will offer new opportunities for people of all ages to get involved and will help put Falmouth on the sporting map nationally."

Falmouth Packet:

Despite the massive amount of public support for the plans, an objection from Sport England over the loss of an existing pitch could prevent the skatepark from being built.

Mathew added: "Sport England's objection does not take into account that the new park will enable the land to be used for sports year-round. At present it is often waterlogged, and allowing this skatepark to be built will in fact ensure better drainage for the wider pitch as a whole.

"We have a very strong case thanks to the brilliant work of the skatepark committee and many others I am hopeful that the project will be given the green light.”

The plans will be sent to the Secretary of State for a decision in the new year.