The family of a Huddersfield youngster who tragically died last year have spoken of their sadness that a planned skatepark in his memory has threatened to split the community.

Isaac Nash, 12, of Kirkburton, died in a drowning accident in Anglesey more than a year ago when a vicious rip tide swept him out to sea.

He was sports-mad and the creation of a skatepark for local children at the Recreation Ground next to Burton Acres Lane, Highburton, was seen as a constructive way of creating something positive out of the tragedy.

While many want a tribute to Isaac which can be used by children at all times of day, others fear a skatepark could see an increase in anti-social behaviour.

The issue will be discussed by Kirkburton Parish Council on Thursday, with another suggestion, to create a new sports hall at Kirkburton Middle School, where Isaac was a pupil, likely to be raised.

The Isaac Nash Trust, set up in memory of Isaac, has raised the money to pay for the skatepark.

And TINT trustee Howard Lewis, Isaac’s grandfather, said there is evidence a skatepark would, in fact, reduce nuisance behaviour.

He said a school sports hall would not be open outside of school hours.

The packed Burton Village Hall in Highburton for the Isaac Nash skate park public meeting in June

“The whole point is for recreational facilities on the recreation ground which would be free and available at all times. There is a lot of evidence that anti-social behaviour can be reduced with facilities such as a skatepark.

“I think it is desperately sad that some people are against this, but some people don’t like change, and some people don’t seem to like children.”

After its meeting on Thursday, Kirkburton Parish Council will pass its comments on to Kirklees Council, which will make the final decision.

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Parish councillor John Taylor said he intends to raise the idea of a school sports hall, as the skatepark has caused such a divide.

“I am hugely sympathetic to the thought that following the tragic loss of life there has been a huge coming together of the community. But this skatepark has absolutely split the community.

Isaac Nash skate park public meeting at Highburton village Hall. The "TINTS" Isaacs friends and skate park campaigners.

“It’s a difficult one. We are taking a significant chunk of the recreation park to build a skate park for a small number of individuals and that area would be lost to the other residents of Highburton and Kirkburton.

“It doesn’t feel the right way to remember Issac. It should be something that brings the community together rather than something that will be seen negatively by significant chunks of the community.

“It’s an awfully difficult one but I have been inundated with people objecting to it.

“I intend on Thursday to raise the issue of the sports hall at the school which seems a much more positive action and is something all ages and groups could use.

“It would be open to everyone, and the Issac Nash Memorial Sports Hall sounds like the sort of thing that could be looked at.”