Parkgoers have been unconvinced by plans to enclose a playground in a park plagued by vandals. Gedling Borough Council are planning to install a 2.4m fence around the children's playground on King George V Playing Fields on Standhill Road, Carlton, after hearing from locals concerned about anti-social behaviour.
Last year the council resorted to putting on extra patrols after complaints about repeated anti-social behaviour in the park. Residents welcomed efforts to secure the park against damage, but questioned whether the high 'prison-like' fences were overkill.
Janice Sims, 75, from Carlton, thought the measures would be too much for the small playground and were not likely to work. "Nothing will stop people if they really want to break things. I think it would encourage younger people to get over the fence just to make a point," Janice said.
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"The park itself is fine but you are bound to get people messing about here. You will see glass a lot of the time near the skatepark and bits of equipment broken."
Retiree Ellen Newson, 73, from Carlton, said: "It is a shame because it is a lovely place and a lot of people use it. The big fences might be daunting for children and will make them feel very enclosed in there.
"Anti-social behaviour is quite regular in the park so I'm sure a lot of things in the playground get broken and things that shouldn't be in there are left there. I live just nearby and you can hear it happening sometimes."
The Friends of King George V Recreation Ground group would be responsible for locking and unlocking the padlock which would be fitted onto the 2.4m high access gate. Brogan and Leo Wrest, both 28 and from Carlton, said they thought there was a problem in the area.
"I stopped coming here as much because people kept setting fires up here, there's definitely an antisocial behaviour problem here. They cut up the bushes nearby and we were told they found syringes and broken glass, all sorts," Brogan said.
"It does feel a little much to me, a bit prison like, but if it makes parents feel safer and stops the playground being damaged that's obviously a good thing."
Leo added: "If it stops the problem then I'd say it is worth it. Parents shouldn't have to worry about what has been broken or left on the playground, but I think it would like a bit like the kids were in prison though."
The plan has been recommended for approval at Gedling Borough Council's planning committee on November 30. A planning officer said: "It is considered, given the nature, scale, design and location of the proposal, the fencing system would be visually acceptable and in keeping with the character and appearance of the area and surrounding context and it would result in no significant undue impact on the residential amenities of the occupiers of any adjoining property by way of overlooking, overbearing and overshadowing."
Nottinghamshire Police reassured locals that antisocial behaviour was one of the force's priorities in the area. Inspector Mark Stanley said: “Tackling and reducing antisocial behaviour is one of our local policing priorities and regular patrols are carried out in hotspot areas.
“I’d like to reassure the people of Carlton that we are listening to what they are telling us and taking action to address those issues they have told us matter most to them. It’s really important public play areas are available for everyone to use and enjoy, which is why we work hard with our partners to prevent damage to open spaces.
“We continue to work closely with the council on problem-solving and we are not afraid to take robust action against those whose behaviour has an adverse impact on the wider community. I would encourage anyone who is concerned about antisocial behaviour in their area to please give us a call on 101 and let us know about it so we can take appropriate action.”
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