Residents fear shelter will turn into teens' drugs den

10:53am Sunday 20th July 2008

FEARS that a planned shelter in Overton could be used as a teenage drugs den have been voiced.

Residents expressed concern over the shelter's location, in the Sapley Lane playing fields, arguing that drug users would be able to see the police coming and then run away.

The shelter is part of a plan to build a bicycle dirt track at the site. The plans include a track with jumps, a hard surface games area, floodlights and the shelter.

The residents, of Ponds Close, who asked not to be named, also spoke of concerns over the floodlights and lack of toilet facilities at a recent parish council meeting.

One said: "We think the shelter could be used as a beer hut and drugs den.

"Police will have no chance of catching the teenagers as they can see from every direction.

"The people who want this don't live nearby. We already have kids there using the bushes for toilets."

The plans were drawn up with the help of officers from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, who visited the site after feedback from a recent "Have Your Say" document.

A consistent theme from residents was that there was not enough in the village for older children to do.

Parish councillor Lucy Sloane Williams said: "They older children will drink regardless of the biking and you will always get complaints.

"It's trying to get the balance. Those who are cycling will not be drinking heavily. It's about give and take."

Ian Tilbury, Overton borough councillor, said: "We've spent more than enough on young people, we spent £30,000 on a skate park that is never used and the residents suffer enough.

"There is elderly housing nearby and I couldn't think of a more inappropriate site for a dirt track."

Parish council chairman Alan Whitney said local residents would be consulted before a decision is made.

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