A DISPUTE has broken out over the site of a new skate park.

Hambleton District Council has turned down a request to give up about 15 car park spaces to accommodate a park in Stokesley.

The decision was taken after it was told a suitable site had been found at Stokesley School, but governors refused permission for the parish council to use it.

Stokesley ward councillor Caroline Seymour said young people had been asking for the facility for four years.

"We have been going round and round in circles," she said.

"The scheme has the backing of everyone in the town, but we cannot locate a piece of land.

"The preferred site is at the school, but we have been to the governors twice and been turned down.

"The car park is another option, which we would like explored. It is only full once a week on market day - the rest of the time it stands half-empty.

"Are cars more important than young people?"

Councillor Neville Hux-table, cabinet member for health, said a skate park was needed, but not if it disadvantaged others by reducing the number of car park spaces.

The council is hoping to talk to school governors.

"We need to go to the governors and ask for their support for this scheme," said Mr Huxtable.

"We cannot provide the land, but we can provide support."

The school declined to comment.