Ilkley'S in-line skaters appear to have abandoned a bid to site a park in the town's Riverside Gardens.

The team working to establish a skate park in Ilkley, Pipe-Dream, is putting the finishing touches to a feasibility study for its preferred site.

Members of Pipe-Dream have turned their back on the Riverside Gardens in favour of a skating park in the shadow of Ilkley Swimming Pool.

Bradford Council officials have consistently voiced opposition to siting a skate park in the Riverside Gardens, but do not appear to vehemently object to the

swimming pool site.

Pipe-Dream team member Bob Tilley said no firm decision had yet been made but did confirm a specific feasibility study was being prepared for the chosen site.

He said: "We are determined this should be an issue where full public consultation takes place."

Mr Tilley said there was no question of simply deciding on a site and then

submitting a planning application without consulting those living closest to the

proposed skate park.

He said Ilkley planning officer Martyn Burke would be consulted once the initial feasibility study had been completed.

Pipe-Dream founder John Anderson had originally suggested three possible sites for a skate park. Apart from the swimming pool and the Riverside Gardens, a site in East Holmes Field was also examined. However, it appears to have been rejected due to its isolation.

Mr Tilley said: "We are now working on the practicalities of the scheme."

The Riverside Gardens option had not found favour with some sections of the Ilkley community.

Ilkley Parish Council vice chairman Lexa Robinson said it was not acceptable to site a park in what are memorial

gardens - although she did support the project as a whole.

Ilkley Civic Society also voiced its

official opposition to a skate park located in the Riverside Gardens.

Mr Tilley said Pipe-Dream did not have official council support for the site, only that it was 'minded' to accept it.

He said the team was also hoping to acquire funding for the project through money made available for community recreation facilities by the Crest Homes development on the former Ilkley College site.

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