THE two front-running destinations for a controversial youth shelter in Petersfield appear to be The Avenue and Love Lane. Last month, angry residents turned out in force at a public meeting to voice their concerns over a youth shelter. Young people had already put forward their comments, backing the project. The £11,000 youth shelter, which would seat nine people, would be paid for by East Hampshire District Council, and had previously been agreed to in principle by the town council. At the public meeting, The Heath, Paddock Way, Bell Hill recreation ground and Borough Road recreation ground were also put forward as potential sites for the shelter. But after consultation, The Avenue playing fields and Love Lane playing fields have come out as the most popular destinations. Town councillors will have access to all the findings and figures from the consultation at upcoming meetings of the grounds committee and the finance and general purposes committee. The issue will then be put before full council again for a decision on the preferred location. Councillor Hilary Ayer said the project was part of the district council's play strategy, which highlighted the "need to provide somewhere for our teenagers to hang out and chill out". Four areas in East Hampshire have been targeted to have a youth shelter, of which Petersfield is one. At the public meeting, most people present said they would prefer not to see a youth shelter at all, but with funding in place the only concern for councillors now is where to put it.
