Plans for a new skate board park in Croxley Green will be considered by councillors tonight.

The existing skate park, at Baldwins Lane Recreation Ground, could be removed.

New equipment – up to 1.8metres high, but predominantly 1.5 metre high – would be installed on the same site.

The skate park would include a three metre high shade shelter, but the existing 3.1 metre wire fence would not be replaced.

Instead there would be a 1.2 metre fence along the northern boundary, and a knee high timber fence around the rest.

Applicants Three Rivers Leisure say the open approach would improve the appearance and the atmosphere of the skate park, creating a “more socially cohesive and less segregated social environment”.

They also say it will reduce maintenance costs and make the park safer, by reducing the risk of users colliding with the fence.

However some residents say the removal of the fence would allow access to the park at all times, generating noise and exacerbating anti-social behaviour.

According to the report, the council’s grounds maintenance manager reports that in the three years since the park has remained unlocked at night they have not been made aware of any issues of anti-social behaviour.

The manager says there has been no damage to the fence by young people trying to get in.

Seventeen nearby residents were consulted about the plans. Three responded, from two addresses.

According to the planning report – which recommends the plans are granted – the proposal would serve the local community and both improve and enhance the existing play and open space area.

The application will be considered by a meeting of Three Rivers District Council’s Planning Committee tonight (Thursday October 18) at 7.30pm.