A CRACKDOWN is being called for at a notorious haunt for illegal sexual activity which is next to a children’s playground.

The two Lime Pits car parks, in Redbridge Lane, near Old Basing, have become magnets for both gay and straight “swinging” sexual activity in cars and outdoors.

Now parish councillors are calling on Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Hampshire Constabulary to clamp down on the illicit public behaviour.

Basing ward borough councillor Stephen Marks, speaking at an Old Basing Parish Council meeting, said the police should be pressured to put a stop to the unwelcome activity.

He said: “It is not acceptable. We can’t stand by and let things like this happen in our parish. We were elected to make this a better place to live.”

Parish council chairman Alan Renwick said the activity happens in the car parks mostly after dark.

He said: “The most desirable thing would be if we could ask the borough councillors to close the car parks at night.”

However, Basing ward borough councillor Sven Godesen questioned whether a crackdown would simply shift the activity to other areas. He said: “At least the Lime Pits site is non-residential.”

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has owned the two secluded car parks since 1983 after redeveloping the industrial lime pits into a nature trail and children’s play park.

Sergeant Jane Brookes, of the Old Basing Safer Neighbourhoods Team, told The Gazette the police are aware of the problem and beat officers regularly carry out high-visibility patrols in the area.

She said: “We have not been made aware of any recent increase but we will continue to target the area to stop this kind of activity happening.”

Dozens of gay and swinger websites on the Internet recommend the location. One site describes the spot as having “lots of wooded and enclosed places to go and do the business”. The second car park is recommended for its “size and privacy”.

Tricia Hughes, head of community protection at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, said the council is aware of the situation at the Lime Pits and is working with the police to find a solution.

She said: “We would be more than happy to work with Old Basing Parish Council and local residents to try to resolve these issues.

“We have started investigating the possibility of installing gates, but need to consider the wider implications of this and would be required to consult on this as well.”