Neighbours have praised a plan aimed at stopping 'dodgy stuff' happening at a popular Nottinghamshire park. Increased security measures in the form of a CCTV camera may be installed at Killisick Road Recreation Ground soon, with plans recommended for approval at Gedling Borough Council's planning committee on September 7.
The application put forward by the council itself seeks planning permission for the erection of a 10m high column and 2m antennae extension for a CCTV camera and associated transmitter equipment, with a concrete base. The purpose of the camera is to assist in the prevention and detection of anti-social behaviour at the site, according to the local authority.
Locals reacted positively to the plans, which look set to receive the green light. Retiree Stephen Jones, 56, said he had heard of 'dodgy stuff' going on late on at the park.
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"I've heard about some dodgy stuff going on, so it would be good to help kids and parents feel safe," Mr Jones said.
"That sort of stuff happens in the corners of the park I would guess, so it could do with more lighting as well as CCTV. My family come here quite a bit."
"It is massively important for kids to have a peaceful playground like this, the cameras would only help," he added. Sam Wiklo, 37, and Sandra Kain, 60, said the park was popular and for the most part 'lovely' but was likely to be hit by anti-social behaviour late at night.
Ms Wiklo, who works in a school and used to live in Killisick, said: "It will be at night time when there is trouble, you get quite a lot of older kids here. But it has always been like that - when I was young I was never allowed down here.
"I think Killisick is a bit different now, with the people that are here. The problem is there is nowhere for young people to go now. The park itself though is popular, at 3 o'clock it will be rammed with kids from school."
Ms Kain, a retiree from Killisick, added: "I do not know why they don't light the basketball court area, I feel that could help. A lot of people walk their dogs here - it is a lovely park in the day time."
The council advised there had been a number of complaints about anti-social behaviour and general crime in the local area. In a planning document, it explained the erection of the pole and CCTV camera would reduce the fear of crime as well as helping with the detection of crime.
Rebecca Mutton, 27, an energy consultant who recently moved to Arnold, said: "I feel there might be other parks which would benefit more from it. But there have been a few incidents at this one.
"If they have the money I don't really see why not, but I think more lighting would be good too as my partner walks the dog here sometimes when it's dark. Anything to stop crime is a good thing really."
One objection was received from a member of the public in opposition to the principle of CCTV cameras being 'used to spy on the public'. The council responded by stating the camera's purpose was not to violate the privacy of the public but to "observe the public realm with the aim of reducing crime and antisocial behaviour".
In a planning document, a Gedling Borough Council planning officer said: "The proposed development is consistent with Gedling Borough planning policies. The proposal represents an acceptable form of development which seeks to reduce crime, the detection of crime and the fear of crime.
"The proposal is not considered to have an unacceptable impact on the visual amenity of the area. The proposal will not have an unacceptable impact on the residential amenity of the occupiers of neighbouring properties."
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