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The play area, badly in need of a revamp.
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Playground plans scrapped
9/10/2008
PLANS to transform a derelict play area have been scrapped after residents voted against them.
Neighbours of Penrhyn Park have condemned the proposal because they fear it will be a magnet for anti-social behaviour.
Rochdale Council displayed the proposed designs on a large play vehicle on Penrhyn Avenue last week and asked residents for their views.
Locals voted against the plans by 46 to 30, while nine people had reservations about them.
All of the opposition came from residents directly around the area - on Penrhyn Avenue, Ruthin Avenue and Mount Road.
Ward councillor Donna Martin said: "At the end of the day we as a council have to take on board residents’ views. It's a democracy and we have to consult local people so they can have their say. Then we have to act on what we are told.
"There are a lot of problems round that area with anti-social behaviour and we need to solve them before we add to them."
Cllr Martin added that the funding for play provision would not be lost and that the council is looking at other potential sites in Alkrington to develop new games areas.
She was unable to confirm the sites currently under consideration.
Councillor Wera Hobhouse, the council's cabinet member for environment and sustainability, said she was disappointed the plans had been rejected by residents.
"We are seeing a conflict with these planning matters," she said. "The wider community generally wants more facilities for outdoor activities for young people but when the council makes a proposal to provide a new play area, the immediate neighbourhood doesn't want it.
"We need to address the concerns that people have about play areas attracting anti-social behaviour and demonstrate to communities that rather than making the areas worse, they actually make them better.
"I wonder whether the community around Penrhyn Park might be missing out on a great opportunity."
Most recent 2 of 5 user comments
The parks in neighbouring towns i.e. chadderton and prestwich are all locked up at night and I believe that the Council should have included security in the budget for this park and if they had done so the park would have been given approval by the local residents. Why spend all that money without without making provision for the security and preservation of the park.
A park/play area is badly needed. Middleton has very few and certainly none than we can be proud of.
As for "nij" what on earth does driving cars to Mainway shops have to do with this topic?
10/10/2008 at 14:35
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16/10/2008 at 22:03