YOUNG skateboarders who took their fight for a custom-built arena to Richmondshire Council had their hopes dashed by one vote.

Teenagers who have campaigned for seven years for a skate park in Richmond had their hopes raised when planners backed proposals for the town's Ronaldshay Park.

However, the chairman's casting vote at the planning urgency sub-committee meeting on Monday sent them back to the drawing board.

The proposals were submitted by the local branch of the YMCA, which agreed to spearhead the bid for grant aid. Young people had already said they would join together in a management committee to help create and look after the arena.

Police and North Yorkshire County Council also supported the plans.

Members who voted against the proposals were concerned about the noise and disturbance the skate park would cause to people living near Ronaldshay Park.

Coun Jane Parlour said the arena would mean relocation of a five-a-side football pitch installed at the park in response to public demand.

"To me, it seems like robbing Peter to pay Paul," she said. "I support the idea of a skateboarding facility in Richmond, but I do not think this is the right location."

Coun Clive World said more consultation on alternative sites should take place.

Coun Katherine Carr supported the plans, which would give young people a say on the facilities in their town.

"You can play football anywhere," she said. "The problem with skateboarding is that it requires a specific place. I would implore the committee to accept these proposals."

The vote tied at 3-3 and chairman Coun Campbell Dawson used his casting vote to reject the project.

After the meeting, Coun Jane Metcalfe, council chairman, who led much of the authority's negotiations with local youngsters, said she was stunned by the decision.

The district council's economic, cultural and leisure committee said it would continue to back the Ronaldshay Park application and would support the YMCA in an appeal against refusal of planning permission.

Coun Metcalfe said: "There will be an appeal and young people are waiting in the wings to raise the money to get this off the ground. If we can do it, it will be the best thing to happen in my political career."