Sir.-The recreational and cultural Cabinet member on the borough council has recently approved the siting of a skate park on Brighton Hill Playing Fields.

The approval of this facility was given prior to any consultation with the residents of Brighton Hill or Hatch Warren.

The only consultation had been with youths, those who would use it, and they were given a number of options within these two wards.

Following consultation and meetings between the council and residents, objections have been raised to the effect that the agreed site is remote, unsafe, unlit and unsupervised and that there is already evidence of anti-social behaviour in the form of drink and drugs abuse on the far side of the park near to the proposed site.

Having been made aware of this, the skateboarders now say they do not want it in this location.

Part of the council's criteria was that the skate park be located in a central position within the two wards.

Brighton Hill Playing Fields is not a central position. In fact, it is on the very fringe of the wards and the town.

Now look at Down Grange. Here is a site that is suitable on all grounds - providing security, lighting, a measure of supervision, first aid and telephone facilities - and would serve a wider community in being central to not only Brighton Hill and Hatch Warren but South Ham, Kempshott and Buckskin.

Wouldn't it be more sensible to place this faciltiy here? Had the skateboarders been given the option of a Down Grange site, they say it would have had their 100 per cent support.

They can see the sense in having it there. Why can't the Cabinet?

-Graeme Peers, Mathias Walk, Basingstoke.