IT could provide the equivalent of 10 full-time jobs, take bored youngsters off the streets and give them somewhere sheltered to exercise.

But planning officers are recommending that Tony Hill’s scheme for an indoor skate park in Poole should be turned down – despite it being backed by two other council departments.

A report to today’s planning committee, says the unit on the Kinson Pottery Industrial Estate in Ringwood Road, Parkstone, should be kept for industrial use.

“While this level of employment generation is to be welcomed, it is likely that the jobs created would be low skilled and will not be wealth-creating,” it says.

A frustrated Mr Hill, who had a similar application turned down in Bournemouth last December, said: “It’s ridiculous. There are so many empty industrial units and warehouses. I think it’s a great idea putting an indoor skate park in this area – it’s been crying out for one for years and it would be a really popular thing to have.

“I’d have a shop to the front and a little café area. I would be employing quite a few youngsters of between 18 and 30.

“There’s a massive skater, skateboard, scooter and BMX scene. It would be a really good attraction for the area. The parents could drop their kids off and go into Poole.

“A warehouse is ideal. There are no other sites around and if we don’t do this it will be lying empty for years to come.”

Mr Hill, 48, who has lived in the Bournemouth area all his life, added: “I’m not a rich man. I sold a house two years ago and thought I would put the money into this.”

He is hoping councillors will agree with the heads of leisure services and children and young people’s services, who are both backing the plan. More than 25 letters have been received in support of the application and only two against.