PLANS have been approved to spend £14,000 on repairs and improvements at Norton skatepark.

The site, in Norton Road, has one of the biggest half-pipes in the country. However, work is now required to maintain the facility.

Members of Norton Town Council, which looks after the skatepark along with Malton Town Council, were told that if the half-pipe was to remain it needed re-cladding which would cost £5,000, while a further £3,000 was needed to update other equipment.

A bid for £6,000 from Section 106 money, which are funds given by developers of new home schemes, would be made for a piece of new equipment.

Built 10 years ago, maintenance of Norton skatepark was taken over by the two town council from Ryedale District Council in 2013.

A new four-year lease was recently agreed with landowners, the Fitzwilliam Malton Estate.

The two councils were given an options appraisal on repairing and making improvements to the skatepark and have jointly agreed to immediate repairs plus an s106 application for funding for a new ride and cladding for the half pipe. All costs would be shared between the two councils.

Mayor of Norton Cllr Ray King said: “My personal feeling is that the half-pipe should be repaired.

“The children really cherish it and some come from all over the country to use it.

“If we were to remove it there is a real chance that youngsters would stop using the skatepark. It would be a real pity to lose it.”

Cllr David Lloyd-Williams said: “If the half-pipe is used a lot that we need to consider health and safety issues and ensure it is safe to use.”

Cllr Di Keal said: “I also feel we should retain it, the children love it and as a town council it is important that we provide things for young people to do in the town.”

Councillors agreed that the contractor was given the go-ahead to carry out the repairs.