IT could be game, set and match to skateboarding as one of Haslemere's public tennis courts makes way for the town's long-awaited skatepark.

With Wimbledon tennis fortnight just a week away, Waverley borough councillors agreed on Tuesday night to instal the new skatepark on half of one of the tennis courts at The Herons leisure centre. The remaining area will used for overflow car parking.

It is the latest setback in the saga of the skatepark, which had been planned to be built and ready for use in the summer holidays by the side of The Herons.

Although members of the Waverley Borough Council executive committee were told that it was still hoped to have the skatepark up and running for the summer holidays, another consultation will need to be carried out with local residents in the vicinity. Haslemere Town Council will also be consulted.

But not everyone was welcoming the plan this week.

Beryl Bishop, from the Haslemere Lawn Tennis Club, said it was "a shame" that one of the tennis courts at The Herons will go.

"It was always said that when the old swimming pool was pulled down they would replace the two tennis courts. It's a shame that one of them will be lost," said Mrs Bishop.

Waverley borough councillor Jean Mansley told the meeting: "I think this new site is probably the best that has come up so far.

"I don't think the tennis courts are used that much; they're not really the sort of courts that people who are really keen players will play on.

"I have some concerns about the neighbours, but there is a railway line in between so they do get noise anyway."

Waverley councillor for Shottermill Neil Jackson, who asked to speak at the meeting, told members of his concern on the timescale, saying that Haslemere youths were "desperate" for the facility to be installed.

He asked if there was a way of speeding up the process so that it would be in place as soon as possible.

Richard Gates believed that any problems following the consultation could be overcome with quick delivery and installation of the equipment, which he believed would be possible.

"It may not be up for the first day of the holidays but that is what we're aiming for," he admitted.

The decision to change the location of the skatepark for a third time, the first proposed location was the fairground car park in Wey Hill, was made over concerns that the skatepark would encroach into the conservation area at The Herons if it was kept at the side of the centre.

There were also concerns about safety, with its close proximity to the exit route for traffic.

It was agreed that a facility similar to the one at Farnham Sports Centre could be installed on half of the tennis court, still leaving access for overflow car parking when necessary.

The overflow car park was felt to be essential, with any loss of extra car parking in the tennis court during galas and other special events leading to visitors parking on the main highway.

The total cost of the scheme would still be expected to be in the region of £30,000, the amount agreed to be funded on a matched-funding basis between Waverley and Haslemere Town Council.

Haslemere Town Council will also be consulted.

At a meeting of the planning and highways committee last month, town councillors gave their backing to the proposed location change which, it was felt, would be safer for skaters.

Concerns that the site at the side of The Herons could have been easily outgrown were also voiced.