TOWN Mayor Richard Scott has defended plans for a skateboard facility in Higginson Park after Marlow groups said it was the wrong location.

The Marlow Forum and the Marlow Society have both criticised the idea of installing a skateboard area in the south-west corner of the park claiming it will take land away from general use. Concerns have also been raised about flooding risks and lack of supervision and facilities, such as toilets and lighting.

But Cllr Richard Scott said: "This park remains one of the foremost attractions in Marlow Town Centre. The provision of a skateboard park in one corner of the park will not detract from its overall use as a major open space in the town. The location of the new skateboard park has been the subject of extensive consultation over the years with potential users, the police and Wycombe District Council (WDC), which is holding the funds ready to commence construction as soon as the remaining administrative formalities are complete.

"This south-west corner of Higginson Park was chosen by the overwhelming majority of those who took part in the recent selection process and it is hoped that it will be open for use before the end of summer.

"The users of the skateboard park are in no greater risk than people walking around the cricket field or along Lower Pound Lane when a game is in progress.

"Let us give the skateboarders the facility they have been asking for over about ten years without further delay."

Marlow Park Cricket Club, which plays at Higginson Park, said if the plan goes ahead the area around their clubhouse would be at increased risk of flooding and vandalism.

A WDC spokesman said in a statement to the Free Press two weeks ago that the cricket club and Marlow Town Regatta were supporters of the proposed plan.

But Mike Barlow, cricket club chairman and Regatta committee member, said: "They used our names in vain, we did not support this. The council said they consulted us but when we met them at Court Garden in 2006 it was a fait accompli. We had no chance to voice our opinion on where in Marlow it should be."

WDC spokesman Becky Woth-erspoon said: "We are surprised to hear that this group is against the proposed location of the skate park. Consultation on the design of the skatepark has taken place with local young people and key groups and its location has been well publicised. We will be investigating the comments that have been made and we will be talking to the local groups to try to understand their concerns."