COUNCIL bosses have put the brakes on "exciting" plans for a popular skate park.

Urban Extreme, in James Freel Close, saw their plans to open an outdoor cycle track rejected by Barrow Borough Council.

Founders Jane and Jason Keith had hoped to have the track open and in use as early as this summer to entertain the people of the town.

Mr Keith said: "It's a massive blow. I'm absolutely furious about it.

"It's nothing more than putting some jumps in dirt.

"We wanted it to be up and running by the summer. I can't blame anyone for not wanting to use the indoor park when the weather's sunny and warm.

"We try to do our best for the kids of Barrow. We've got a great industry in this town but there's a lot of kids on the streets late at night.

"We get some kids coming down whose families are struggling financially; autistic groups. And we're now working with police and youngsters with anti-social behaviour problems.

"This was about providing a safe, fun place for them to all enjoy."

The couple had applied for a certificate of lawfulness to allow the development to take place.

They now face the lengthy and expensive task of going through the full planning application process as they strive to get the go-ahead for their plans.

Mr Keith said: "They told us we've got to put a full planning application in now.

"They don't realise that we're a charity. All our staff get paid but my wife and I don't get anything out of it.

"Because we've got the building and the land worth what it is they think we have got all the money in the world for their hoops."

The full planning process also requires detailed plans to be drawn up for the design of the site, something which Mr Keith believes is impossible.

While the plans included a BMX track, a pump track and dirt trails, there were no specific designs submitted.

Mr Keith said: "It is all going to be bespoke.

"We might put a jump in somewhere and then decide it's not quite right there, it doesn't flow as well as it could, or it would be better somewhere else.

"We want to be able to move it once they ride it out and test it all. There can't be any plans for it; I don't want plans."

Mr Keith, a former semi-professional BMX rider opened the venue with his wife, Jane, in August 2014 after selling up his agricultural contracting business.

Barrow Borough Council have been contacted but had not responded at the time of going to press.

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