Teen village approved

A NEW meeting place for young people is on its way to Hailsham in the form of a teenage village.

At a district council planning meeting on Thursday last week, members formally approved the plans for the development on the Maurice Thornton Playing Field.

The teenage village will consist of a basketball hoop, a five-a-side football goal, an area of hardstanding and five small metal shelters with timer roofs. These were originally due to be built entirely of timber, but the town council expressed concerns about potential maintenance requirements.

The council received seven letters from local residents, one of which was in support of the proposals while the others raised concerns, objections and queries. Concerns included the potential increase in noise, the possible exploitation of the development by vagrants and the intimidating effect it may have on local residents.

At least one letter claimed that drunken, noisy activity involving young people already occurs on the park at night, and that bad language and anti-social behaviour is a problem. However, a planning officer assured the committee that the police are prepared for such issues.

'Police say that they can deal with it, he said. 'They are aware that a teenage village like this is a proven way of reducing crime and disorder.

'There will be no loss of trees, and although there has been no proposal for lights, wires will be ducted into the site in case of future lighting developments.

Teenagers living on the estate originally requested the facility and were partly involved in the design and siting of the development. 'They just go so fed up of everyone nagging them, so they wanted it to be well out of the way, said Penny Edwards, who was heavily involved in the youth consultation process.

Wealden Council will foot the bill for any damage to the teenage village, which will be surrounded by a 1.5metre fence.

Cllr Nigel Coltman, one of the local representatives for Town Farm, said his early concerns relating to the teenage village had been allayed, and he moved for the approval of the scheme. His proposal was seconded by Cllr Powell, and councillors voted unanimously in favour.