A skate park is to be built in Stevenage to meet demand.

Stevenage Borough Council asked residents to vote whether they would like so see a skate park built at either Hampson Park or King George V Playing Fields, with 97 per cent in favour of the Hampson site.

Designs for the skatepark, which is likely to cater for skateboarders and BMX riders alike, will now be decided by the council alongside Sport Stevenage and Skate Stevenage.

At present the town has one facility at the Bowes Lyon Centre in St George’s Way.

Council leader Sharon Taylor said: “It is through another successful year of housing delivery that we are able to use our new homes bonus money to provide this skate park for people in Stevenage.

“Many of our young – and young-at-heart – residents have been asking us for this for some time, and a new facility will provide opportunities for people to practise the sport as well as those thinking of taking it up.”

The news follows the launch of a petition last year which called for a new skate park to be built in the town and received more than 500 signatures.

Campaigner Emily Wells said: “I’m really glad Stevenage Borough Council has decided to move forward with these plans.

“It is really important that kids in our town are given the opportunity to socialise and have fun things to do with their free time.

“I know a lot of people feel there is a real lack of amenities for young people in the area, especially teenagers, and I think this will provide the perfect outlet for a huge number of them to get together and keep them from loitering on the streets.”

Once designs are agreed and work starts, the skate park is expected to be completed by spring 2015.