A MAJOR consultation is being launched over a long-awaited £250,000 recreation ground and skate park revamp.

Members of the public are being given the chance to have their say on plans to regenerate the dilapidated skate park off Ramsey Road in Halstead.

Council plans to build a new skate park in Halstead have continually stalled in recent years because of a lack of funding.

Housing developers at Oak Road have now donated the £50,000 first stage payment of a £250,000 deal to carry out the work.

Town councillors discussed the project at a meeting last week when it was agreed that the existing skate park at Ramsey Road is now no longer fit for purpose and that work on the area is “desperately needed”.

Halstead mayor Andy Munday said the project will be a great addition to the town and the council is keen to get it under way.

Following talks with Braintree Council, Mr Munday said: “They intend to take the project forward in three phases – consultation, concept design including further consultation, and finally a build phase.

“The initial phase will start within the next few weeks and should see schools, local residents and other interested parties being consulted about what facilities are required.

“This is great news for the town, is fully supported by Halstead Town Council, with the target date for completion of the concept and design phase being before the end of this year.” Town councillor Jackie Pell said residents in the area should be consulted and suggested that stalls at various events in the town, such as the upcoming May Day, could be a way for the consultation to take place.

Letters will be sent out to residents, schools and parents. Braintree Council hopes Ramsey Academy will also be involved in the process

The initial consultation period is due to start now and last until the end of July, followed by a period of up to four months to produce a design concept which should be ready by Christmas.

There will then be further consultations, followed by construction.

There have been calls for the skate park to be revamped for at least five years.

Skaters have claimed it is one of the worst in the area and is so dangerous they are forced to go elsewhere.

Speaking to the Gazette last year, teenager Tommy Harrington said: “The skate park at this point is beyond repair and is dangerous.

“Skaters have to ride in places such as the leisure centre, the Co-op and Queens Hall where they are likely to get in trouble by the land owners.

“The council have said a new skate park will definitely happen yet no date has been given. So as far as we know it could be in a decade until we get a new skate park.”