Church group’s ‘cage for kids’ branded monstrosity
FURIOUS RESIDENTS COMPLAIN TO COUNCIL OVER‘PLAY AREA’
ACHURCH group has sparked a row after putting up a “cage” for children. The structure was placed on a green near the seafront in Criccieth in Gwynedd.
But one resident labelled it as a “monstrosity”, branding it “inappropriate for children” and suggesting it may also pose a COVID-19 risk.
But the Scripture Union has defended its use of the enclosure which they say is used as a sports area.
The row broke out after a resident complained on Gwynedd Council’s Facebook page.
She wrote: “Have you seen what the scripture union have put up in Criccieth?! Massively inappropriate. Surely they haven’t had permission to erect a cage for children? Can someone please look into this. It’s quite disturbing.”
The woman also queried whether anyone touching the cage ran a risk of catching COVID-19.
On Facebook, she posted: “Surely putting kids in a confined space rather than (giving them) the freedom of the entire green is against Covid regulations? It’s actually made me feel quite sick and I’m not the only one.”
A council representative responded to say officers would “investigate the matter” and suggested the resident contacted the Scripture Union “to see what their intentions are”.
But she rejected that suggestion and insisted that as the cage was in her view, “highly inappropriate” its “licence to operate” on council owned land should be revoked.
She added: “Perhaps the council were unaware of such a monstrosity. No-one in their right minds wants to see kids in cages.”
The council representative on the Facebook page promised to “get back to you when we have further information”.
A Gwynedd Council spokesperson said: “We are aware of concerns raised on social media about the holding of children’s activities in Criccieth, but no formal complaint has been made to the council.
“We have been in contact with the Scripture Union, the organisation holding the children’s activities, and understand that the cage is being used for children’s ball games.
“We also understand that the activities are drawing to a close today (Friday).
They add: “Arrangements are being made to inspect the site to ensure that the activities have not caused any damage.”
The Scripture Union defended its use of the enclosure.
Jo Morley, who looks after the Scripture Union’s Missions work, said: “We have had our Holiday Club going in Criccieth all week.”
On the enclosure, she said: “It’s a sports cage that we use for football and games for children and young people.”
She added: “We leave it completely locked up and secure when not in use. But all of the rest of the time the children can go in and out as they wish.”