‘It’s a centre for gangsters’

Building public toilets and a refreshment kiosk on a village recreation ground already blighted by anti-social behaviour could be throwing money down the pan, residents fear.

Sturry Parish Council hopes its plan could encourage more community use of the area in Park View. But many villagers fear it could be a waste of resources and lead to a big bill for repairs if vandalised.

In November, a consultation on the proposal was carried out in Sturry, the results of which are expected to be reviewed later this month and a decision made on whether to go ahead.

Parish council chairman Ashley Bubb believes the village has lost some of its community spirit, which greater use of the park could help revive.

“Over the last 20 years or so, Sturry has been less of a community and it’s waned off a bit, and we’re trying to bring some of that spirit back into the village,” he said.

“The idea for a kiosk was thrown out by councillors because when the weather is good something like that might attract more people into the park and get the kids out and parents can sit and have a cup of tea.”

Councillors also believe it would support the running of events on the green, as well as making life easier for disabled people and parents with small children.

The proposal has been welcomed by some but others fear the new facilities would be vandalised.

Writing on the parish council’s Facebook page, Jitendra Upadhyay said the park was already blighted by anti-social behaviour and “a big problem” for those living around it.

“It is a centre for racism, vandalism, harassment, substance abuse, gangsters and should be shut down,” he said.

“This will be an absolute waste of time and money,” added Steve Aitken-mellors.

“If it goes ahead, I would bet that it will be closed more often than open for repairs because of the mindless vandalism that will be caused.”

The location of the proposed public toilets on Sturry Recreation Ground

Sturry recreation ground is said to be blighted by anti-social behaviour