Wybers Wood play area closure ends years of anti-social behaviour
TWENTY years of anti-social behaviour have been brought to an end – by the closure of a Wybers Wood play area.
Residents claim that the recreation area on Gloria Way was a meeting point for thugs, who turned the street into a "no go area" at night – physically and verbally abusing those living nearby and damaging property.
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NECESSARY EVIL: Councillor Peggy Elliott and Councillor Cliff Barber at the play area in Gloria Way, Grimsby, which is being closed after years of antisocial behaviour. Picture: Rick Byrne
However, now North East Lincolnshire Council has handed back control of the land to landowner Geoff Dyson, the former owner of Chartdale Homes – who will put up security fencing to keep the yobs out.
North East Lincolnshire Council, in partnership with Humberside Police, is also heavily involved in taking enforcement action against the main offenders.
Residents, who had kept a log of the incidents, said they were over the moon.
NECESSARY EVIL: Councillor Peggy Elliott and Councillor Cliff Barber at the play area in Gloria Way, Grimsby, which is being closed after years of antisocial behaviour. Picture: Rick Byrne
One man, who did not want to be named, said: "It has been horrendous and the youths are very intimidating.
"Elderly residents have been scared to leave their homes at night because the area is a no go zone.
"It's taken so long to get through to the right people and I'm glad something is finally being done."
Mr Dyson now plans to clear the site and aims to apply for planning permission for three properties on the site.
Should he be successful, he will make £30,000 available to the council as part of his planning conditions, to pay for play equipment and public space either within Wybers Wood or nearby.
Keep checking your Grimsby Telegraph for further updates.
79 Comments
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by Mrs P, Aylesby Park
Thursday, July 29 2010, 3:31PM
“I'm really sad our little park has been closed down, I'm a parent of a young child. My little boy loved the playground and it is he and his peer group who now have to suffer because of a minority as usual. I would be so ashamed if I was the parent of one of the culprits.
I really do feel for the people who live on Gloria Way, who have had to put up with the anti social behaviour but also feel the problem has now just esculated to the rest of the estate rather than cured it. Since the playgrounds closure I have noticed alot more big kids hanging around our cul de sac, chalking on the pavements and kicking the trees, generally up to no good.
I also agree that there is nothing for kids to do in this area, not even for the little ones now whom the playground was intended for but when I was growing up, my friends and I used to hang out in parks too as teenagers. The difference is we sat and talked and never caused any one living close by any damage or disruption. I was braught up to respect people's property and people in general. I hope I am passing on those values to my Son.”
by Demos, Grimsby
Monday, July 19 2010, 11:34AM
“So the residents in self denial about Anti-Social Behaviour are joining the councillor who never attended the meeting where concerns were raised, to petition for the play area to be kept open.
My suggestion for the new play area would be on the council land at the back of the school with a new entrance on to the Great Coates Rd pathway. This idea was around long before Boylen thought of it but it has been blocked by residents in the past,long before the Gloria Way issue blew up.
How about the petitioners asking not for Gloria Way to be retained but asking everyone for a new site?”
by Acres Resident, Laceby Acres
Monday, July 19 2010, 9:22AM
“Hey, no worries Wybers. You can feel free to bring your kids through to the lovely play facility that we have on Laceby Acres.
Or you could if it existed...”
by Chris Lawrance, Albatross Drive
Sunday, July 18 2010, 1:38PM
“Support our Petition and Facebook campaign
I have set up a Facebook page for those who would like to keep the park open, 'Hands Off Our Park' and have also started a petition.
Please contact me at handsoffourpark@hotmail.co.uk or via the facebook page if you would like to sign or help with the petition. There is still time to keep the park open.
If you would like to support the campaign then please 'Like' the ¿Hands Off Our Park¿ Facebook page and encourage your friends on facebook to do the same.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Hands-Off-Our-Park/137469916275113?ref=ts”
by children, grimsbo
Sunday, July 18 2010, 1:17PM
“we are 11 years even our mum,aunt and uncle lived opposite the park and never saw any trouble and loved playing there from the day it was opened and she told us that theres always been a plan to get rid of th park and build 3 houses on the site and ALL THEY WANT IS MONEY!! AND WE WANT SOMEWHERE TO PLAY BECAUSE WE HAVE NOWHERE BECAUSE THE PARK IS ONLY FOR UNDER EIGHTS and we get very bored”