PLANS have been submitted for a major overhaul of Dovercourt’s ageing skate park.

Harwich Town Council has submitted new blueprints for the site, next to Dovercourt Swimming Pool, off Lower Marine Parade.

Councillor Jo Henderson said the town council had so far raised about £90,000 towards the £200,000 price tag.

“We must submit blueprints now as many funding bodies want to see concrete plans before they make a decision to hand over any money,” she said.

“The project is still dependent on getting more funds in. The skate park will be on the same footing as the cur - rent one.

“The park is of great value to the local community, especially in this time of austerity when local youngsters need somewhere to play.

“The current park is outdated and the surface no longer ideal. It has long since passed its 10-year lifespan.”

The plans state the old park will be decommissioned and removed and replaced with free-form concrete.

The new park will include a bowled element and street course.

Mrs Henderson said the current location had not caused any problems and there would be no change to the existing lighting.

So far, Harwich Town Council has set aside £44,000 towards the project.

Essex County Council’s Community Initiatives Fund has contributed £15,000, an extra £18,000 has come from developers’ contributions as part of planning applications in the town, and £12,500 has come from Tendring Council’s Big Society Fund.

Mrs Henderson said grant applications would be resubmitted to funding bodies such as Sport England.

A decision on the plans is expected to be made by Tendring Council by August 4.