PLANS for a skate park and BMX track costing a quarter of a million pounds have been proposed.

Southend Council will consider spending the money for a “wheeled sports” area at the site of the former Warrior Square swimming pool.

The council’s cabinet is set to discuss plans for the site on prime development land in Southend town centre.

The plans, which have taken five years to organise, were spearheaded by James Courtenay.

Skaters and bikers currently use a makeshift park outside Southend Victoria station, on the corner of Victoria Avenue, and Queensway, but the council is keen to create a permanent base.

If the plans are agreed at cabinet, a planning application will be submitted and a contractor appointed.

The council launched a consultation on the plans at the beginning of the year which revealed the town centre location was the preferred option.

Mr Courtenay said: “We went to consultation at the beginning of the year to find out what would be the best site.

“We want teenagers and young adults to use it so it has to be in the right place.

“Warrior Square came up as the best site which is good because it’s central but not on the main thoroughfare and it’s a nice open space.

“We want it to be decent so it won’t attract undesirables, which it could have if it was in a secluded place.”

Welcoming the latest development in the plan, Mr Courtenay added: “It’s wonderful and something that I’ve campaigned for a long time.

“We wanted something for young people to do in Southend.

“I spoke with young people, kids in schools and those using the station asking what they would like to have and they all said a skate park.

”We are looking at bringing funding forward to this year

“It would have taken a year to 18 months but I say let’s get on with it.

“I’d like to see the skate park open this year.”

The council is encouraging developments in the town centre and seafront areas, including Seaway in Lucy Road.

Council officers claimed “the creation of a wheeled sports facility in this location will limit future development of the site” but Mr Courtenay is confident it is the right choice for the skate park.

He said: “It’s a good use of the land. People always question what else you could do there but the swimming pool shut ten years ago and there was nothing else in the pipeline.

“It could be moved in the future and it is not using all the green space. If it had been a café or shop it wouldn’t be questioned but young people need something and I’m happy this is a good use of the facility.”

Helen Boyd, current councillor responsible for children and learning said: “Anything that adds to the facilities for young people in the town has to be a good thing.” The meeting will be on Tuesday.