Bishopthorpe residents divided over new playground (From York Press)
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Bishopthorpe residents divided over new Keble Park playground
8:05am Wednesday 31st March 2010 in News
The playground in Bishopthorpe, with Jo and Sam Probert, who live nearby, and Sam Richardson, right, son of Amanda Richardson, who has launched a campaign to save the playground
A playground which opened only a week ago has divided residents in a village community.
Some people whose properties back on to Keble Park, in Bishopthorpe, near York, claim the playground attracts noisy youths and invades their privacy.
Writing on a village website, one resident said the park was noisy and badly monitored.
Susan Hawkridge said: “We have continual noise from 9am and we still have teenagers in there now at 9pm.
“I was never against this in the first place, but I expected that some sort of security and monitoring would be in place, especially in the evenings.”
Residents also claim the climbing frame in the park towers over the fences of nearby properties.
But Amanda Richardson, who lives on Keble Park North, has started a campaign on the website Facebook to save the structure.
“Starting the group was a knee-jerk reaction to the news that the council were considering destroying the climbing frame, but I didn’t expect this amount of interest.
“We’ve had about 80 people sign up each day in favour of the playground. There’s a huge amount of support,” said Amanda, who has also organised a petition.
A statement from Bishopthorpe Parish Council said it had received an 80-signature petition and numerous complaints from residents.
“Concerns raised were primarily regarding privacy of gardens and fear of antisocial behaviour,” said the statement. “These residents have been given support by our ward councillor, John Galvin.”
Coun Galvin said he believed the site should remain a playground, but supported the residents’ views.
“I feel very strongly that the site should be a play area. The layout of the playground is the only issue,” he said. “The decision will be made entirely by the parish council and I’m quite sure I have no control over that.”
“It’s not fair to take the playground away from the hundreds of children who enjoy it just because of speculation about antisocial behaviour,” said Amanda.
Comments(19)
martink
says...
10:15am Wed 31 Mar 10
There is nothing for youngsters to do in this village so this improvement should be welcomed.
Parish Council take note : This village does not exist for the over 60's !!!! -The elderly have their tennis courts and recently had £4000 of Ward funding provided to improve the courts so it's about time the kids had something too.
Yes there may be the occasional bit of noise nuisance ( playgrounds tend to create this !) and privacy may be invaded in parts - but this play area has been here since these properties were built so i suggest those bordering the playarea plant some trees if it's a problem.And remember they were children once and stop moaning.
Mr Tee
says...
11:31am Wed 31 Mar 10
Since the play area re-opened (it was a play area when I was a child in the village ... many years ago), my children have made daily visits (weather permitting). It is certainly better than staying at home and playing computer games.
My children have never considered looking into the houses and gardens of the neighbouring properties. All they are interested in doing is playing with friends, usually under supervision of parents.
Surely, other houses, which are much higher than the climbing frame, are more of an invasion into the privacy of the moaning residents. I live on Keble Park North and can look down into several rear gardens of neighbouring houses. Should the residents of these houses demand that my house is demolished because I am invading their human rights!
Apparently, the issue of security and opening times will be tackled by a new fence and locking gates at a certain time. That is just being mentioned to give some false credibility to the complaints.
Some of the moaners, who have only recently moved into the area, should take a look at their badly maintained boundary fences and get them sorted if they are worried about their privacy.
Finally, we should be saying a big THANK YOU to all the un-elected people who worked so hard to make this play area a reality. There are some great people behind the scenes at CoYC. Don't allow their efforts to be wasted due to a handful of nimbys and their relatively tiny petition.
In summary, Bishopthorpe needs to get rid of the muppet Galvin at the first opportunity. He is a great advert for NOT voting Tory at any election!
Henry Swanson
says...
12:43pm Wed 31 Mar 10
hifive
says...
12:46pm Wed 31 Mar 10
Pedro
says...
2:25pm Wed 31 Mar 10
Cost Accountant
says...
3:23pm Wed 31 Mar 10
climbing frame position without the problem being solvedl. Later new equipment was installed (on the basis that it might be looked after) but it soon was so badly damaged that it had to be removed for safety reasons. All extra cost to the public purse.
In the past it was suggested that the area should be locked on an evening to try and keep the undesireables out. Did't really work. Some people said they would help to open and lock the gate. This only lasted a little while until the novelty wore off. Parents of small children soon stopped using the play area because of the problems with older ones.
How much consultation did the parish council carry out before spending even more money from the public purse on this dubious venture?
Obviously not with the people involved previously.
Yes the youths require something to do at times but they must have consideration for other people if they want other people to respect them and spend money on their behalf. The youth of the village could help to police the area and the village at large themselves on behalf of the whole community.
If there are vacancies at the tennis club and bowls club why not join one or other or both. Also youth club and scouts etc. The constant cry that there is nothing to do does not ring true.
Mr Tee
says...
3:41pm Wed 31 Mar 10
martink
says...
3:51pm Wed 31 Mar 10
hifive
says...
4:45pm Wed 31 Mar 10
euro
says...
5:08pm Wed 31 Mar 10
the kids need an outdoor play area - end of ,and like any facility of this sort it attracts yobs after the little kids are in bed - what would happen in Rowntrees if there was no security ???? DUH
not happy then sell your house to someone young .
too many old **** for my liking ,the demographic is out of sync with normal society - they are still trapped in the 50s - go into Micklegate at 11pm and see what York is really like ...............
and you will realise the people congregating are not on the way to pray !
caliwag
says...
5:36pm Wed 31 Mar 10
If you don't like it...move
King Edward
says...
8:24pm Wed 31 Mar 10
Bishlad
says...
11:46pm Wed 31 Mar 10
TheManWithTheFuManchuMoustache
says...
9:33am Thu 1 Apr 10
Bishlad wrote:Funniest 'Hitler' argument ever posted.
The trouble with Cllr John Galvin is that he cares!! He cares about Bishopthorpe and he cares about people. How many of these muppets who slag him off actually have spoken to him? Remember Hitler persecuted the minority whilst the majority stood by. Cllr Galvin is courageous in supporting the minority for no one else seems to be interested, it seems that mob rule is the order of the day.
At first it almost reads like you were serious - top marks for a quality wind-up.
hifive
says...
11:25am Thu 1 Apr 10
Bishlad wrote:Hahahahaha!
The trouble with Cllr John Galvin is that he cares!! He cares about Bishopthorpe and he cares about people. How many of these muppets who slag him off actually have spoken to him? Remember Hitler persecuted the minority whilst the majority stood by. Cllr Galvin is courageous in supporting the minority for no one else seems to be interested, it seems that mob rule is the order of the day.
It is a joke, right?
Bishlad
says...
12:27pm Thu 1 Apr 10
hifive
says...
12:56pm Thu 1 Apr 10
TheManWithTheFuManchuMoustache
says...
1:28pm Thu 1 Apr 10
Bishlad wrote:Not a joke?
No Joke!! just an over the top illustration of what is becoming a howling mob against the minority who are being verbally attacked and verbally abused on this site and others. At least he has the guts to stand up to the "Playground Bullies"
To summarise, some people (mostly parents) from Bishopthorpe are concerned about a new playgound being altered (to it's detriment) about with a week after it opened and you compare them to Hitler? And this isn't a joke? You think the fact that they are in the majority makes for 'mob rule' ?(your argument kind of undermines the underlying principle of democracy but heigh-ho). And that's not a joke either?
I won't be so presumptious as to suggest that John Galvin shares your views, as this would be most unfair to the man himself .
After all his own 'mission statement' includes the following 'I will represent the views, concerns and aspirations of ward residents to the very best of my ability' (his words not mine) which suggests to me that he will be doing his utmost to listen to, and help to reconcile all concerned parties.
Thisisme says...
9:45am Wed 31 Mar 10
Bishopthorpe Parish Council are a very negative bunch constantly and just create barriers!
Go residents!!