ALTON Town Council is to press ahead with a controversial new skatepark in Anstey Park, despite staunch opposition from local residents.

The location, in the southern-most corner of the park, next to the junction of Anstey Road and Anstey Lane, was put out for public consultation after the plans were relocated from a site adjacent to Alton UnitedÕs football pitch.

During the period of public consultation, the town council received 21 letters of objection to the new site, which came from residents of Anstey Road, Anstey Lane Shipley Close, Tilney Close and one of the clubs based in the park. The council also received a petition signed by 23 residents of Shipley Close.

Objections to the proposals were made for a number of reasons, which included; the loss of green open space; detriment to the appearance of the townÕs main entrance; fear of an increase in the existing anti-social behaviour problems in the park; no control over times of use; traffic and parking issues, and lack of toilet facilities.

Many local residents attended the decision-making meeting of the town councilÕs recreation committee to air their opinions.

Among them was Anne Brosnan, who argued that the area borders on a conservation area, the existence of which prevents many residents in the area from installing double glazing. That would mean there would be little defence for these people against the noise caused by the skatepark.

When the plan was put out for discussion by members, the majority agreed that there is a very real need for a second skatepark in the town, and that the council has a duty to provide for young people in the town.

Town mayor Pam Jones reported that she, along with the deputy town clerk and the councilÕs head groundsman, had visited a concrete skatepark in the Waterlooville area, which was in a recreation area very close to houses, and which made very little noise and suffered only minor damage and graffiti.

David Willoughby addressed many of the concerns raised in the objection letters, and did his best to allay the fears of the residents who made them.

He identified the key issues as those of noise and anti-social behaviour. On the noise issue, he reiterated the point about the quietness of concrete ramps, and added: ÒGranted, it is impossible to control the times of use, but if you look at the age of the people using the facility, it is likely that they wonÕt be using it very late.Ó

On the issue of anti-social behaviour, he said: ÒI completely understand this issue. We have spoken to Inspector Tipping of Alton Police, who has also expressed concern. He has said that he will make every effort to police the area thoroughly with the resources he has got to work with.

ÒThere is also the counter argument that if you give the idle hands something to do, then they wonÕt find the need to indulge in anti-social behaviour.Ó

Mr Willoughby concluded by saying that because of the difficulties with all the other possible sites suggested, he still felt that the proposed site was the most appropriate. He also reminded members that deliberating the issue for too long would result in the loss of a £10,000 grant from the ChildrenÕs Fund that had been made available for the project.

The majorityÕs feelings were summed up by John Smith. He said: ÒThe case for another skatepark in the town is very persuasive. The one in the west of town is very well used, but there there is nothing in the centre or the east. We owe it to the young people of the town to provide for them.

ÒLocal children skate in the Market Square and at SainsburyÕs as it is, but this development would standardise it. And Anstey Park is the place to do it.

ÒItÕs a fact that where you have children, you have noise problems. But if you donÕt provide for young people, then you can have much bigger problems. This might not be the ideal solution, but getting an ideal solution would be impossible. Any site we look at will have its objectors.Ó

When put to the vote, the council agreed by a majority that the plans for the new skatepark should go ahead in their current location. The next step for the town council is to conduct further consultation with the likely users of the park over the equipment and layout of the facility, the results of which will come back to the recreation committee for approval in due course.

The decision was met with outrage by the attending residents, who felt that they were not given sufficient input at the meeting, and that their worries had not been properly addressed.

One such resident, Alistair Henderson, said: ÒWe are very upset that these plans have been put upon us at such short notice. We are not happy with the location of the plans for a number of reasons, and we are extremely unhappy with the way that the issue has been dealt with by the town council.

ÒGenerally, the locals have not been considered. All the council seems to be worried about is not losing their grant from the ChildrenÕs Fund, and we feel that we have been led a dance by the council.

ÒWe havenÕt yet formed an official group, but we have a mailing list of around 40 interested local parties, which is getting bigger and bigger all the time. A number of us turned up at the meeting to make ourselves heard, but all we were given was 10 minutes at the start of the meeting, and we werenÕt allowed to say a word after that.

ÒSome of the town councillors said some unbelievable things at the meeting, and made some very poor arguments. It was almost like they were trying to put a spin on it.

ÒIÕve heard that when Alresford Town Council got itself involved in a similar issue, they really got the public involved. There was none of this only having 10 minutes-to-speak nonsense.

ÒThe people at the meeting were just gob-smacked at the way things were done. Some of us are very hot under the collar about it, and the matter is far from over. People are far more politically aware these days, and we are looking into a number of ways in which we can address the matter further.Ó