A LONG-AWAITED scheme to revitalise Chesham's Lowndes Park has been branded a disappointment after it was given the final go-ahead this week.

The town centre park is to get a new skate park, junior play area and a cricket pitch as part of a project costing almost £90,000.

But while the town's youngsters are delighted, others say the improvements fall short of expectations.

Bernard Meldrum, vice-chairman of the Chesham Society, says original plans for Lowndes Park, designed to coincide with Chesham's millennium celebrations, would have given a much bigger boost to the town.

The plans, costing about £1 million, included major landscaping work and an overhaul of paths and seating.

Mr Meldrum explained: "Something we wanted to make a rather grand celebration of the millennium has been scaled down to something of minor significance.

"It was supposed to be a grand thing we are disappointed."

At a meeting of Chesham Town Council's planning and general purposes committee on Tuesday, councillors rubber-stamped the current scheme after more than four years of discussions between the council, Chesham Society and Chesham Youth Council.

The earlier £1 million scheme had been turned down for National Lottery funding. It was made less ambitious, costing about £250,000, only to be rejected again.

After this the idea of a skate park gained support and a grant of more than £82,000 was pledged by the Onyx Environmental Trust.

Chesham town councillor Nancy Downs (Lib Dem, Townsend) said: "I think the council has to look at the amount of money available and spend it wisely."

Emily Walker, chairman of Chesham Youth Council, said: "I think it's absolutely brilliant and amazing. It's something young people in Chesham can be proud of."