Councillors who backed proposals to turn an industrial estate into housing have been asked to include a skate park.

Wallingford resident Sue Hendrie told South Oxfordshire District Council's policy and resources committee the town desperately needed more facilities for young people.

She said: "There's a crying need for a multi-use skate park for skateboarders, BMX riders, in-line skaters - anything on wheels, you name it. At the moment, youngsters are hounded round the town and have to use unsuitable and dangerous sites."

Ms Hendrie, who is a member of Wallingford's Community Safety Group and Wallingford Business 2000, was addressing the committee before councillors agreed to draw up outline plans for new housing at the town's six-acre Station Road Industrial Estate.

She added: "It would seem sensible to use part of the Station Road site for this much needed community resource."

An influx of families with children is already expected when the 142 new homes at the former Pauls Malt site are completed. The Station Road site could see a further 100 homes built.

The district council owns the land but has been unable to find enough business tenants.

The committee's decision to support the housing option means existing traders will have to be relocated, probably to eight acres of vacant lots on the nearby Hithercroft Industrial Estate.

Ms Hendrie's call for a skate park will go into the melting pot of ideas. The proposals are at an early stage, and several councillors only agreed to back the housing option on the basis that submitting outline plans would kick-start a broader consultation process.

However, the district council's chief executive, David Buckle, gave a "categorical assurance" that the Scouts and St John Ambulance groups would get new venues if they are forced off the site by the scheme.

The Community Safety Group is to discuss the skate park proposal on Wednesday.