Plans to redevelop a neglected Sittingbourne site with a skate park are a step closer as community fundraising nears the £90,000 mark.

The Mill Project has raised the sum for a multi-use skate park behind Pizza Hut and Halfords on the Mill Way Retail Park.

The plan is supported by Swale council, which has pledged £55,000 towards the target of £350,000 and made available the land on which the park could be built.

Outline planning permission for the facility was granted in April.

Cllr Mike Whiting, cabinet member for localism, sport, culture and heritage, said: “This is a genuine grassroots project. Local people are taking it upon themselves to make a difference to their community, and I’m delighted to see them doing so well.”

Project manager Dave Green added: “We’ve only begun serious fundraising in the last year, so to have reached this amount already is a fantastic achievement.

“The dedication of the chairman Jordan Rogers, and all the young people involved, is inspiring to see.

“As the amount raised grows, it really shows other potential sources of funding that we’re committed to making this happen.”

See www.sittingbourneskate.co.uk