An Epsom skatepark criticised as a place where teenagers “smoke weed” and “shout profanities” is being made even bigger.

The council said more concrete skate ramps are being built in Long Grove Park because young children or beginners could get injured if they used the same ramps as more advanced skaters.

A zip-wire, which local residents said is very popular, has been taken down to accommodate it.

The plans were put forward to neighbours in October 2017.

A Horton Crescent resident said in the planning application: “The council do not currently address the problems caused by the current development, namely the smoking of weed by the users of the skatepark, the anti-social behaviour of youths next to a children's play area, including the shouting of profanities and loud music, the litter left by users of the skate facility.

“Increasing the size of this facility will only increase these issues which already have an adverse effect on a quiet, family-orientated area of Epsom."

John Feltham, who lives in Horton Lane, only realised the skate park was being built when he walked past the site.

He said there is already a skate park for younger children in the area and thought money would be better spent on roads.

Surrey Comet:

Smaller ramps at Long Grove Park, photo: John Feltham

“I moved away from Gatley Avenue because of the noise from the park there. I was there about 20 years before,” he added.

“There are pot holes as big as craters in the area and nothing is being done about them.

“I understand it’s Surrey Council that are responsible for roads, but Epsom [and Ewell Council] are spending money on things that could be on the back-burner.”

Another local resident Joe Read, of Haydock Court, said: “I have no issue with the extra planning for a skate park as I think it is brilliant that kids are outside.

“The only issue I have is the noise from the skate boards. In the summer it gets light at 4.30am and dark at 11pm meaning that the skaters are out until it gets dark.

“I would suggest that an extra set of fences are put up around the park and that it is locked and given opening times to prevent people being woken up at 5am with the sound of skate boards rolling on concrete and kept up at night with the same.”

Surrey Comet:

The Long Grove skatepark, popular with pros; photo: John Feltham

A spokeswoman for Epsom and Ewell Council said: “The extension for a beginners’ section to the existing Long Grove Skate and BMX park was well established following the decision at the Council's Strategy & Resources Committee in March 2015.

“The planning application for the extension was approved at the Council's Planning Committee in January this year.

“We are not aware of any reports of anti-social behaviour associated with the existing skate park within the last 12 months, but we will make enquiries.”