SIXTEEN identical letters opposing a skateboard park on the Craven Arms playing fields are to be disregarded by district planners at this week's meeting.

All the residents objecting say, "Concern is raised regarding the proposal creating additional noise, litter, vandalism and antisocial behaviour of young people.

"The dimensions of the proposal and whether the police services will be too stretched to supervise the park are questioned."

However, the protestors comments are not relevant because the planning application relate only to providing lighting and fences for the new park, planning chief James Caird told councillors.

" The games area and skate park do not require planning consent as they are within an area of open space that already has an established recreational use," said Mr Caird's report recommending approval.

Objections from residents of Newington Way, Norton View and Shrewsbury Road have long been a part of the argument on where the skate park should be sited.

The Craven Arms Partnership has applied for permission to put up two lighting columns controlled by timer switches. A chain link fence will enclose the hard surface play area and stop balls encroaching onto the existing toddlers play area.

A condition of planning permission for the lights is that they are turned off at 10pm in the summer months and 9pm during the rest of the year.

South Shropshire District Council's planning committee was considering the application as The Advertiser went to press.