WORCESTER'S RampAge skate park could be refused permanent planning permission because it is still "too noisy" - even though it has helped reduce anti-social behaviour on city streets.

Faced with an expensive insulation programme to try and reduce the noise from the converted Orchard Street warehouse, owners Chris and Danielle Buckland want to renew their temporary planning permission and make it permanent.

The application is opposed by environmental health chief Roy Fidoe because of the noise nuisance to neighbours.

Planning chief Peter Yates is recommending that permission be refused, but he suggests it might be possible to extend the temporary permission, giving the Bucklands time to solve the noise problem and recoup costs.

Permission was originally granted for a 12-month trial until the end of May.

RampAge, which has commercial buildings on either side, with houses in front and behind, opened in October and was served with a noise abatement order before Christmas.

The sound of wheels on ramps echoing from the uninsulated building led to complaints from neighbours.

In Mr Fidoe's view, a noise insulation scheme started by the Bucklands will bring about a noticeable improvement, but will not reduce the noise enough.

Mr Yates says there is a dilemma, because the skate park is much needed and provides an opportunity to reduce skateboarding on city streets.

Former warehouse

A former warehouse is the most appropriate place for it, but the city has a limited amount of warehousing and objections would normally be raised to the loss of space.

"I have no objection to the principle of the proposal. This specific unit offers what is a very limited opportunity to provide the facility within the city," he says, in a report to a city planning committee.

"It would be inappropriate to grant planning permission before the applicant has demonstrated that the statutory noise nuisance can be abated.

"It may be that a longer period of temporary permission, say five years, would give time for the investment in noise insulation to be recouped."

Neighbours are also worried about extra traffic generated by the park, but there is no official objection to the skate park on highway grounds.

In a previous Orchard Street planning dispute, an appeal inspector ruled that traffic generated by the former Indoor Bowling Club was preferable to any industrial use.

There might be more cars and bicycles, but it would be better than having large vehicles trying to negotiate difficult junctions and congested streets, said the inspector.

Community Safety and Crime Risk officers have spoken in favour of the park, saying that there has been a reduction in reported incidents of disorder and anti-social behaviour in Worcester since it opened.

Are there enough facilities for youngsters in the city? Have your say by writing to: Voice of Worcester, Worcester Evening News, Hylton Road, Worcester, WR2 5JX, or email: letters@thisisworcester.co.uk