Anti-social behaviour was the key point of discussion at a recent meeting in Newcastle, Co Down.
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The jagged edge of antisocial behaviour in Newcastle.[/caption]
Sinn Féin Councillor Willie Clarke, speaking after attending a meeting organised by Down Rural Community Network and Burren Meadow Residents Group to focus on issues in the estate and on the Castlewellan Road in Newcastle, said: “The meeting was arranged to discuss a series of anti-social behaviour issues and issues regarding the sewage pumping station failures.
“Also on the agenda was the poor standard of perimeter fencing between Burren Meadow and other properties on the Castlewellan Road. These concerns are having a big impact on the quality of local people’s lives
“Agencies who attended the meeting included the newly formed Castlewellan Road Community group, PCSP, PSNI and elected representatives.
“The main issues of concern discussed included, break-ins, drug dealing, graffiti, intimidation of residents, drinking in public and drunken behaviour in the estates, speeding traffic and nuisance neighbours. There can be many contributory factors that cause anti-social behaviour… the main reasons include, lack of parental control, lack of communal facilities, and drugs and alcohol. Youth diversion projects have been set up for the area through the anti-social behaviour action plan. These have been very poorly supported by the community.
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Cllr Willie Clarke working towards a solution in Newcastle in the Burrendale Estate.[/caption]
“On the Castlewellan Road, Newcastle, we have major residential developments. As a collective housing unit, we have by far the largest concentration of children and young teenagers in the town but very little play or recreation facilities for them to avail of. As a result of lack of recreational facilities, we have large numbers of young people congregating in an around these developments and at times this becomes a source of complaint in terms of low level anti-social behaviour.
“However, the number one issue for families is the lack of facilities for their youngsters in these areas and there is wide recognition that the provision of much-needed facilities would alleviate much of this problem.”
Cllr Willie Clarke added:
“During the discussions, the land in the flood plain belonging to APEX and the Housing Executive was identified as a priority for community recreational use. This is a project that I am passionate about and I have secured funding from Down District Council to carry out a feasibility study on.
“I believe there will be suitable grant opportunities for such community/social infrastructure including the Space and Place consortium (Big Lottery Funding). While there is a real need to have green space for young people to play, the untapped land can be properly managed to possibly include a community garden or allotments, sports area, and a play area, in my opinion we have an opportunity to develop a project to turn a derelict area into a people’s park which could include cycle paths and walkways where people can meet and enjoy their local space.”
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