Residents on a Skipton estate are getting together to save an overgrown recreation ground as their Millennium Project.

The Shortbank Close 'rec' - known locally as The Gully - was earmarked for development last year when youngsters decided it was the ideal spot for their Wheelpark Project.

But residents' concerns halted the plans, and the wheelpark had to find an alternative home. After much fundraising it is now under construction in Aireville Park.

Now the preliminary "humps" built for the original facility are left abandoned, but many local parents feel they could be used to breath new life into the site.

The strength of feeling over the future of The Gully was shown when around 70 Greatwood estate residents gathered at the invitation of the town council this week.

The council controls and looks after Skipton's ten recreation sites but is considering handing over control following the impressive turn-out.

Bert Parker, Shortbank resident and spokesman for the Residents' Action Committee, said: "We think we have done a great deal to rustle up the interest of the people here.

"It's our sincere hope that we can go forward as a comprehensive team. We propose to form a committee comprising a number of residents who will gather with a view to making a parkland amenity area at the Gully.''

A similar organisation was formed by the residents of Broughton Road, where a committee was formed and a constitution drawn up so that funding could be sought legitimately.

But with help from the Town Council and the Yorkshire Playing Fields Association it is hoped that Shortbank tenants could transform the all-but-forgotten site for the next century.

Tony Mullin, Craven District Council's funding officer told residents: "It will be two years before you see something tangible happening on the site, but it will last 50 years so it has to be worth it. I see this as becoming your own personal Millennium Project."

The Town Council will decide whether to let a residents' committee run the rec at a special meeting on Monday, September 7.

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