Families join Parkstone child centre protest (From Bournemouth Echo)

Families join Parkstone child centre protest

8:30am Thursday 9th September 2010 in

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FAMILIES with children are among those objecting to plans for a £280,000 children’s centre in Poole.

Residents are up in arms about Borough of Poole proposal to demolish the park keeper’s cottage at Alexandra Park in Parkstone to make way for a single-storey building with a bigger ‘footprint’, offering facilities for families with under-fives.

Despite the high numbers of young families in the area, the plans have proved unpopular – with more than 50 people, including several with children, registering objections.

Among their concerns is the lack of access and parking, with parking already at a premium on the surrounding residential roads.

And residents are unhappy that the proposed buildings are so close to homes, potentially causing noise problems.

They also point out that there is already an existing children’s centre very close by on Ashley Road.

The project is being funded by a ringfenced capital grant from the government that must be spent by March next year – prompting concerns that it is being rushed through.

It is a sore point for some in the area following a row over the installation of £60,000 worth of new play equipment in the park earlier this year – also with a deadline on the grant. Some residents complained they had not been properly consulted.

Resident Sue Hockey, who has been galvanising her neighbours over the issue, told the Daily Echo: “Residents feel this is being rushed through without any proper thought and without any proper design.”

The planned centre, serving Parkstone, Penn Hill and Canford Cliffs, would offer drop-in sessions, information, links to Jobcentre Plus and health services and parenting guidance. Poole council says it has a statutory duty to provide these centres.

The application wil come before the planning committee for determination later today.