A bid for a skateboard park in the centre of Richmond failed last night when planners rejected the project by a margin of one vote.

It has taken seven years for the North Yorkshire community's youth to win enough support to warrant a formal proposal.

Hopes were high last night when an application to use an area of the town's Ronaldshay Park were submitted to a meeting in Richmondshire District Council's headquarters at Swale House.

The local branch of the YMCA had agreed to lead the bid for grants; the police had given the proposals their blessing; North Yorkshire County Council was backing the project; even the district authority's planning officers were recommending the scheme should be approved.

However, it was not enough to convince the majority of the Richmondshire council's planning urgency committee, who were worried about the impact the new facilities would have on the surrounding area and on residents living nearby.

Councillor Jane Parlour highlighted the fact the new skate park would mean the relocation of a five-a-side football pitch, which had been established at Ronaldshay 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."

She was supported by Scotton's Councillor Pat Middlemiss while Richmond's Councillor Clive World pressed for more consultation on alternative sites.

Magistrate and chairman of the Richmond Bench, Councillor Katherine Carr, was among those who urged the committee to give young people a say.

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

However, when the vote was tied at 3-3, committee chairman, Councillor Campbell Dawson, used his casting vote to support those opposing the project.

After the meeting, the chairman of Richmondshire District Council, Jane Metcalfe, who led much of the authority's negotiations with local youngsters on the project, said she was stunned by the decision.

"I would not rule out an appeal," she said.