Campaigners fighting for the restoration of an east Suffolk skate park are “overjoyed” after funding was approved to allow work to begin by next spring.

Framlingham Town Council’s application for £32,000 of sports funding to refurbish the facility was approved by Suffolk Coastal District Council’s Cabinet on Tuesday.

Alongside the £40,000 already offered by the Mills Charity and a further £3,000 raised locally, the Framlingham Skate Park group is now able to proceed with the project.

Fundraising co-ordinater Angelika Grant said she was “overjoyed” by the decision. “It’s absolutely marvellous, we can now get on with planning the project and hope to start work in the spring,” she said.

The skate park was built in 2006 but ran in to difficulties when faults were found with some of the equipment, which had to be condemned in 2012. As the contractor responsible for the work had since filed for bankruptcy, there was no option to pursue compensation and so a number of fundraising events were held and grant applications submitted.

Ms Grant has thanked the Mills Charity, Framlingham Town Council and the local community for supporting the project over the past two years. “I think we have all worked really hard on all of this and did not lose hope when it got difficult,” she said. “It’s been a real community effort and we’ve had so much support from the whole town.”

The project will see the skate park restored to its “former glory” with resurfacing, a new concrete half-pipe for all-year use and other ramps.

Suffolk Coastal’s cabinet allocated the final chunk of funding in accordance with officer recommendations.

TJ Haworth-Culf, who is responsible for customers, communities and leisure at the council, said: “Cabinet agreed that it was a good project as it will provide long-awaited new equipment for young people.

“The skate park can be easily accessed and it is open and free for all to use.

“The skate park is helping young people become more physically active and gives them the opportunity to get involved as volunteers.

“Not only does this give them new skills and help to build their confidence but it also gives young people more social inclusion in the area.”