A DREAM will finally become reality for the young people of Whiteley when their long-awaited skatepark opens next month.

Youngsters have waited years to see the controversial skatepark built on the Meadowside Recreation Ground after the project faced a number of setbacks.

First a number of councillors rejected it, but failed to declare a prejudicial interest because they owned property nearby.

This led to an inquiry.

Then when it all seemed to have been approved, Hampshire County Council decided that a new primary school could be built on the site and delayed it further.

However, now a defiant Winchester City Council has pressed ahead with the scheme and will have the skatepark in place by next month.

Pat Wright chairman of Whiteley Parish Council, said: "The contractors have been laying the base and we do expect it to be finished shortly.

"Things are looking hopeful for the youngsters of Whiteley."

Councillor Wright added that it was nearly three years ago that the scheme was first given the go -ahead.

Then there was a change to the parish council structure and many of the new councillors rejected it. However after failing to declare interests, five of them were reported to the Standards Board for England.

After the inquiry, the issue of a new primary school came up and Hampshire County Council decided that the Meadowside site would be ideal.

Both the city and parish councils are opposing the Meadowside school and proposed another site in North Whiteley and are now awaiting the result of a compulsory purchase order.

In the meantime the skatepark is being built.

Mr Wright said: "For a lot of people the finished skatepark will be the realisation of a dream after a long and troubled process. All the equipment has been bought and will be put in place over the coming weeks."