PLANS for a controversial new skatepark in Winchcombe have been submitted to the council.

Winchcombe Town Council says that a "massive majority" of townspeople are in favour of the project, which was first proposed in 2013 at land off Greet Road Winchcombe.

But residents' group Winchcombe Residents Against the Proposed Skatepark (WRAPS) says that the proposal will bring vandalism, anti-social behaviour and noise in its wake.

The consultation is open to comments until Wednesday March 14.

Benny Sutton of WRAPS said: "WTC have however no track record of managing large public construction works and the proposed park might be over-reach, both in scale and multi million pound price tag.

"A number of WTC members have been fixated for years with creating a regional tourist attraction that many believe inappropriate for a rural location on the edge of the small Cotswold town."

Mr Sutton claimed that the noise created by the park will be an issue, comparing it to the sound created by clay pigeon shooting facilities.

He added there was an issue with anti-social behaviour: "It is common knowledge that skateparks focus anti social behaviour. No one wants disturbance from teenagers drinking cider, taking drugs, and playing loud music late into the night."

Stuart Maughan, who chairs the town council's playing fields committee, previously said: "Plans are progressing well and Winchcombe Town Council has consulted locally and listened carefully to local residents.

"We have taken the feedback and worked closely with the landscape architects, who are specialists, to come up with new design for phase 1 and sketch design for phase 2 of the park, taking this feedback into consideration.

"We have a massive majority of local support for the project but we still listen to the concerns of a small number of neighbours to the park who have been vocal.

"We have made changes in order to try and resolve their issues and as with any planning application local residents will have a further chance to make further representation for Tewkesbury Borough Council to review."

The skatepark is included as part of a larger plan for the park, including a multi-use games area, outdoor gym and a kick-about area.