REVISED plans for the long-awaited skatepark in Abergavenny have sparked concern as work begins on the site in under a week.

After years of debating the controversial plans Abergavenny was finally getting a skatepark when council chiefs voted on plans last year.

It has taken months to get procurement ready and members of Abergavenny Town Council were told last week work would start this month.

However, there were reservations from some members who said that the original plans that were passed, have been altered.

The site, on Old Hereford Road, is near the former Welsh school, now a youth and community centre. A previous application in 2006 to build the skatepark further west towards Pen-y-Pound was withdrawn when planners visited the area.

The application, dubbed the "long running saga" was heavily criticised by former councillor Rob Griffiths and local residents. Although many groups support the scheme neighbouring residents in Wellfield Close and Pen-y-Pound have battled to oppose the scheme.

They say they fear anti social behaviour, light and noise pollution. They also wanted other sites in the town to be considered, such as Bailey Park. A petition of almost 600 signatures and letters of objection were handed to MCC planing chiefs.

The site was meant to be made of concrete with lighting columns, a new 1.8m bow top fence with a hedge along the western boundary between the skatepark and the football pitch and a 3.5m high acoustic fence. Councillor James George believes there is no longer lighting at the site.

At last week's Town Council meeting some members claimed Monmouthshire County Council had run out of money and were cutting back on things such as flood lighting.

Councillor George said, "I had a meeting with Monmouthshire County Council officials and found out that there is no longer any flood lights on the site.

"The police are extremely concerned because it's not going to be manned at all."

Councillor George says he has arranged a meeting with cabinet member, councillor Liz Hacket Pain and MCC officer Mike Moran.

He added, "I am concerned with who is going to manage the day to day running and supervision of the skatepark. There was some discussion before I was elected that the developing youth centre would control this project. I am disappointed that there is an idea of setting up a trust to control the youth centre while the skatepark has not materialised in any way.

"As the local member I am very conscious of the concerns of local residents and I still welcome the acoustic fence to keep disruption to a minimum. I am also aware of the need to provide facilities for young people. I am concerned that the revised plans do not include all the original facilities planned for the skatepark due to the ever increasing budget.

"It further concerns me that the excitement of using the skatepark by young people will be diminished by these changes and the threat that the whole project could become a white elephant." His concerns were echoed by councillor Douglas Edwards at Town Council.

The Mayor, councillor John Prosser told members, "We are pleased it's going to start in a week but we are awarded there could be problems due to changes in the design.

"We have been told that work is about to start. There will be teething problems, I am sure, but we will have to work together to make it a success for the people and the youth of Abergavenny."

James George added," While I am in support of it I had severe reservations in the running of it."