AN APPLICATION to create a skate park has been submitted to Stockton Borough Council.

The plan is to turn two tennis courts into a BMX and skate part at John Whitehead Park in Billingham.

Cleveland Police have backed the scheme because it is hoped it will help reduce anti-social behaviour.

The planning application suggests a multifunctional wheeled sports arena would help reduce anti-social behaviour.

The skate area would measure 30 metres by 53 metres. Four remaining tennis courts would be upgraded as part of Stockton council’s Sport in the Park project.

The skate park would be positioned behind a grassy mound and would be made from free-form concrete, and, to reduce the impact of the concrete within a green park environment. A 2.4m-high fence to be erected around the skate park with lockable gates.

The council has held a number of consultations after receiving a requests and petitions for a skate park since 2012.

And in January 2012, more than 120 young people attended an event to help develop ideas and designs. The findings of the exercise was approved by Stockton Cabinet on March 8, 2012.

Councillor Ken Dixon, Stockton Council’s cabinet member for arts, leisure and culture, said: “It is exciting to see plans progress for the BMX and skate park – we know there is a huge appetite for this type of facility and we have worked with a large number of young people and designers to ensure we provide them with a purpose-built BMX and skate park.”

Stockton Council is due to make a decision on the plans by June 12.