Skater boys and girls are jumping for joy as plans for a new pump track in North Farnham have been rubber stamped.

But a councillor is disappointed the Sandy Hill project has taken so long to get lift-off – as work was due to start in late spring in the hope of a summer launch.

Waverley Borough Council and specialist designers OnTrack can finally start work on the Sandy Hill Pump Track as a planning application was approved last week.

The facility will cost around £130,000 and was shaped by public feedback with the “fun and high-energy” track having something for riders of all ages and abilities.

While she is happy that permission has been granted, Cllr Kika Mirylees was expecting a decision much earlier as the application was submitted in late January.

The WBC portfolio holder for community services and leisure, who has pushed the scheme for around three years, was hopeful of a summer opening.

But the plans needed the backing of Natural England given the site’s proximity to a Special Protection Area (SPA), with gate and fencing arrangements being finalised.

Cllr Mirylees said: “This isn’t a vanity project and I started work on this three years ago – it’s taken that long.

“I just felt in one of the most multiple deprived areas in the borough we needed something for the youth.

“We had the summer coming up and the idea was it would be open by then and it would help kids with nothing to do, but it was left sitting on a shelf.

“I know the planning team has a lot to do but it was a priority. I guess we’re looking at late summer now.

“But it’s good it’s gone through as it’s a vital thing for people up there.”

The application was unanimously approved by the WBC Planning Committee with only two questions being asked by members. Cllr Maxine Gale asked about emergency access while Cllr Peter Clark congratulated the planning team for getting the nod from Natural England after years of trying.

The pump track has been designed for cyclists, scooter users and skaters of all abilities and has been likened to ski runs with multiple routes of varying complexity.

Berms, rollers, progressive hip jumps, a step-up and step-down quad, a jump box, and a quarter pipe with fly-out will be among its features with the scheme also including grassland enhancement and biodiversity improvements.