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Reverend Martin Caesar has been leading the HopeZone project
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New HopeZone plan sparks anti-social behaviour fear

By Becky Barnes
August 13, 2012

Re-submitted plans for a youth drop-in centre have sparked fresh fears of anti-social behaviour at a recreation ground.

Forty-seven letters of objection have been submitted after revised proposals for the HopeZone drop-in at Morgan Recreation Ground in Crowthorne, were lodged with Bracknell Forest Council.

One resident, who has lived in the village for 35 years, said: “I have a basic human right to live in my home without living in fear.”

Another said over ‘many years’ they had been subject to ‘immense upset’ from anti-social behaviour from the recreation ground.

Plans for a wooden hut, submitted by Crowthorne Baptist Church, in the High Street, have been a work in progress for more than two years.

Original plans were withdrawn in May 2011 but re-submitted at the beginning of last month.

They were immediately met with resistance with letters criticising the church, voicing concerns about the reduction of green space and the risk of drugs, alcohol, litter and vandalism.

People had until last Tuesday to make their opinions known.

Police have also raised issues about the design of the building saying it would not ‘deter’ crime and have ‘noted’ the Morgan Centre next door has grills and covers to deter criminal activity.

A police statement submitted to Bracknell Forest Council said: “There has been a history of anti-social behaviour on the Morgan Recreation Ground over the years, although more recently this has reduced.

“The proposed structure could easily be set fire to, have windows smashed, be damaged and the potential of youths climbing on to the roof.”

The council also received 14 comments in favour of the HopeZone.

One person said: “Crowthorne has a deserved reputation for being an active, caring community and I am glad there is an opportunity to show this attitude extends to teenagers.”

Other comments included that there were a ‘serious lack’ of facilities for younger people in Crowthorne.

Reverend Martin Ceaser, chair of the HopeZone Committee, said: “We have been a little surprised at the nature and tone of some of the objections.

“However HopeZone will abide by whatever decision is returned by Bracknell Forest Council.”

Crowthorne Parish Council was asked to comment on the application and following the feedback decided to debate at its September meeting whether the HopeZone should be trialled at the Morgan Centre initially before an independent facility was built.

Councillor Bob Wade, chairman of Crowthorne Parish Council, said it had become clear that there was ‘sufficient concern’ that the proposal had the ‘potential risk of undermining all the good work that has been achieved in mitigating anti-social behaviour’.

The plans will be voted on at Bracknell Forest Council’s planning committee’s next meeting on Thursday, August 23.

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Most recent user comments 3 of 3

There are specific incidents and dates attached to the objections to the application. Youth provision is vitally important but, for the benefit and safety of the potentially vulnerable youth, it has to be deployed by qualified youth workers who do not have a hidden agenda such as, sadly, these type of aggressive faith groups have (Converting Children to Christ/entering into a relationship with the living God etc...) the plans behind 'Hopezone' are well documented and there is not one qualification amongst them.

Timothy Jefferies
13/08/2012 at 12:36

My problem with this is the people complaining cite anti-social behaviour as the reason not to have it.

No-one ever talks about specific incidents or dates.

I'm not saying they're making it up, but if it happened years ago it would've been different kids to the ones using the HopeZone.

If this is true, people are simply assuming kids will behave badly, which is a rather negative view.

Megaman
13/08/2012 at 12:15

I find it incredulous that Crowthorne Baptist Church, who runs Hopezone and has in other ways in the past has looked to serve Crowthorne with quite reasonable effort, has now, under the leadership of a 'new' minister, placed itself in such opposition with the our magnificent local Community, the Police, the Council AND also the Young People who want the drop in to remain at the Baptist Church on the High Street where there is good access, lighting and visibility for the 10-20 Young People who actually attend. Young people simply do not want 'Church Adult Supervision' on at the Morgan Recreation Ground!! This is clearly a vote of no confidence from the community to the leadership at the Church and they should consider very seriously whether they really want to be a part of Crowthorne or not. Ceasers 'surprise at the nature and tone' can not really be a surprise to him at all when the good people of Get Bracknell, Crowthorne, Thames Valley Police and the Council have repeatedly replied 'No thanks' to this badly thought out and wrongly sited application. GET A GRIP Crowthorne Baptist Church! Build your CHURCH PROJECT AT YOUR CHURCH as part of your NEW BUILDING PLANS to serve our local community and stop trying to 'extend God's Kingdom' (read extend Crowthorne Baptist Churches Real Estate) at the expense of our wonderful Rec and the local residents!