A SKATEPARK could replace a former outdoor purist course that shut down last year.

A plan has been announced to transform the Vivary Way site in Colne into a 'wheel park'.

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The scheme, put together by volunteers, would be open for skateboarders, BMX riders, scooters and roller-skaters to use.

A new design for the Urban Altitude centre, which closed in June, will be drawn up by group member and architect Darren Lupton, from Barrowford.

The site, owned by Pendle Council, could include ramps, a BMX track and skating bowls.

Volunteer Amanda Cunningham, 48, from Trawden, said a pitch would be made at the council's executive meeting in May to convince members to let them use their land.

She said: “We don’t have facilities like this anywhere else in the area.

“There’s a lot of younger people who don’t like football or other sports and have nowhere else to go but skate around on the streets.

“The park would create an outlet to use their energy in a positive and safe way.

“The land is a great opportunity to develop something that would last in Colne for 50 years.

“We don’t want it sold off to become a car park or housing, we need it to stay as a facility for the community.

“I want to go to the meeting and tell the executive board there’s hundreds of people who want this land to become a park.

“We’re not asking the council to pay for it, we just want the land to be used to build the park.

“It’s a great chance to build something amazing.”

A Facebook site ‘Colne Wheel Park Initiative’ has been set up for people to show their support.

Mrs Cunningham said: “Once the council give us permission, we would then look to set up a committee and look into ways of raising cash to build it.”

Cllr Sarah Cockburn-Price, who sits on Colne Town Council, said she supports the proposals.

She said: “It is a really good opportunity to bring something like this into Colne.

“It’s close enough for teens in the town to get there on their own without a lift from mum and dad, however if they did need a lift there’s enough around that area for the whole family to take part in.

“The idea is pointless if we don’t get support though, so we need everyone to come forward."