ABERGAVENNY residents who object to the siting of the new skatepark in their neighbourhood have complained to Monmouthshire County Council about being consulted.

The residents from Penypound, who are against the skatepark being built in Lower Meadow, have written to Colin Berg, chief executive of Monmouthshire County Council, about comments made by Mike Moran, leisure and recreation manager, in the local press.

One of the residents, Wyndham Harris, said: "There is a feeling of outrage in the community and the purpose of our letter is to alert the chief executive to the facts and ensure fair plan in the determination of the planning application.

"We want an assurance there has been no behind-the-scenes collusion and any inaccuracies are corrected."

Mr Harris said their complaint centres around a quote by Mr Moran in the local press which stated the planning application was received around December 16.

He asked: "Why were we not informed earlier than January 26 when we received neighbourhood notification?"

Mr Harris said Mr Moran was quoted as saying the facility could be up and running by the summer if there are no objections. He added: "He knows this is a controversial site which has already been the subject of a petition from around 180 people when it was first mentioned as one of the possible sites."

Mr Harris said the residents who object to the Lower Meadow site, which include residents of two pensioners' complexes in Old Hereford Road, were worried that the statement implied "a done deal".

He said: "There will be a host of objections to this application. We will no longer be able to enjoy the amenity of our homes and gardens if the skatepark is allowed so near, with unregulated opening hours and possible floodlights. This is not a proper place for a skatepark. Skateboarding is a noisy activity and that's why it should be well away from homes."

The letter has been dealt with by environment director Steve Greenslade, in the absence of Mr Berg. He said he had dealt with the planning aspects of the complaint and had passed the letter to Andrew Keep, director for lifelong learning and leisure to deal with the complaint over Mr Moran's statement. He added: "The planning application was submitted in December but because of the Christmas backlog was not registered until mid-January when notices were sent out for the normal three-week consultation.