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Eastwood youth centre accused of attracting 'riff raff'
RESIDENTS living near the site planned for Eastwood's £2m youth centre say it will attract ex-cons and drug addicts and is a waste of tax payers' money.
Frank Cheeseman said he will not be voting for anyone who 'signed this betrayal of Eastwood' and most of the people who live on Derby Road where the centre is being built 'do not want the imposition.'
The youth club, being built at the Sunnycroft Centre site, will house a youth offending team along with health advisors and Connexions advisors.
Mr Cheeseman said: "It's going to be involved with ex-cons, drug addicts and other people we don't want in Eastwood.
"Lots of people come to the DH Lawrence Heritage Centre. I wonder what they will think when we get the inevitable discarded needles and the increase in crime."
The 64-year-old is also worried about the noise and opening hours at the new centre.
"They are going to have a music room which will be open until at 11pm at night," he said.
"There are caveats to all of these plans – they can open any time at night and any time in the morning if they wish. They will open seven days a week."
Mr Cheeseman said the centre will dominate the top half of Derby Road, reduce house prices and cause an eventual hike in council tax.
His neighbour, Chris Craig, said it will attract "riff raff."
"We have enough crime on Derby Raod, we don't want to attract more" he said.
The youth centre – the first the town has seen in eight years – will offer advice to teenagers on everything from jobs and housing to health and relationships.
It will have a coffee bar, meeting room, computers and office space and be available for community groups to use.
The Sunnycroft Centre, which used to be the Scout hut, is now a health and safety hazard because of vandalism, and will be knocked down to make way for the new building over the next few months.
The last youth club in the town was held at Eastwood Comprehensive School, but it closed down to make way for a new reception building
Cllr Philip Owen, Nottinghamshire County Council's cabinet member for children and young people, said: "Youth centres of a similar design have been opened in other locations in the county where they have had significant benefits for the local community by encouraging young people off the street and into a safe environment.
"We understand the issues that have been raised and will be carrying out community consultation to discuss concerns with local residents."
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Weather for Eastwood
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: -4 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light sleet showers
Temperature: -0 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South west
