PLANS to build a skatepark in Cowley Marsh Park, Oxford, due to be decided next month, are the last throw of the dice, campaigners say.

The group trying to provide permanent facilities for skateboarders and BMX bikers said if the bid proved unsuccessful the future for skateboarding in the city looked bleak.

Jack Richens, 28, chief executive of Oxford Wheels Project, said: "It's pretty much the last chance. We've taken it as far as we can."

The group is based at a temporary skatepark in Meadow Lane, but the ramps are worn out.

Mr Richens said: "Cowley Marsh was chosen out of dozens of sites because it's a good distance away from housing so would not be a noise nuisance, it has excellent transport links and a lot of the skaters who use Meadow Lane are based in the East Oxford and Cowley area.

"All the fears local residents and councillors have got are exactly the same as the residents in Meadow Lane had - and now they are all really reluctant to see us go.

"I think they would change their minds if they gave us a chance."

Mon Barber, 39, of Littlemore, who runs skate shop SS20 in Cowley Road, said: "We are pinning all our hopes on it.

"It's hugely important for us and would also mean we would be providing a free, permanent sports facility for the city."

Petitions for and against the proposed skatepark have been circulating in the Cowley Marsh area - 1,300 poeple have signed in support of the scheme.

Oxford City Council's Cowley area committee will decide on the application on Wednesday, April 2.

The committee had indicated it did not believe a public park was an appropriate location, but councillors cannot now comment before making their decision.

Resident Arthur Davis, 78, of Crescent Road, who has lived by the park for more than 50 years, said: "It's a very waterlogged site and we don't want to lose green space to a large concrete area.

"The proposed hours are until 9.30pm at night and we don't think we will get any peace and quiet at all."

But former Liberal Democrat city councillor Tony Brett, who lives in Reliance Way and is neighbourhood watch co-ordinator for the area, described it as a "wonderful opportunity".

He said: "I imagine it would reduce antisocial behaviour as it will give local young people a focus for leisure and a meeting place."

Constructing the park would take up to 18 months, and cost about £300,000.