A BUSINESSWOMAN has hit out at Worcester City Council planners, claiming it is damaging the prospects of her new business by not allowing it to open on a Sunday.

Gabrielle Buckland, who plans to open the Rampage Skate Park, in Orchard Street, off Bath Road, said she was surprised when the council's planning committee placed restrictions which stopped its operation on Sundays.

"I can't believe they have done this. It just doesn't make any sense," said Mrs Buckland.

She and her husband came up with the idea of the skate park when son Lee, aged 15, showed an interest in a similar facility in Kidderminster.

"We felt it would be a good idea for this city," said Mrs Buckland.

The indoor facility should be able to cater for around 150 youngsters who want to use skateboards, roller blades or BMX bikes, but the council have stopped it opening on a Sunday, despite the fact that a gymnasium operates yards away.

"Considering they are allowed to open on a Sunday, we are just amazed why we are not allowed to," she said.

Mrs Buckland said she felt that the new skate park, due to open in the next few months, was a much-needed facility for youngsters in the city and would prevent unwanted skateboarding in residential areas and at venues such as the Shirehall law courts.

"The time youngsters will want to use this facility is at the weekend when they have got more time on their hands and, apart from the impact on our business, they are being stopped from doing this," she said.

Peter Yates, the city council's head of planning, said the restriction had been made after a lengthy discussion at a planning committee meeting.

"There were complaints about this plan from people who live nearby who are worried about noise and disturbance. That is why these restrictions were put in place," he said.

He added that there would be an opportunity to appeal against the decision.