AN ATTEMPT to restrict public access to an anti-social behaviour hotspot in Poole has been heard by the planning inspector.

The Barbers Wharf and Barbers Gate complex is used as a popular cut-through to the town centre from Hamworthy and Poole Quay.

But residents have endured a string of incidents outside their homes, ranging from sexual activity in carports to vandalism to cars.

Castleford Management, which runs the flats, applied to block pedestrian access through the development but Poole planners turned it down.

The company contested the refusal and the arguments have now been put to the planning inspector, with a decision due in a matter of weeks.

The application to Poole council to lift a planning condition allowing pedestrian access detailed “increasing criminal activity, antisocial behaviour and major safety problems” at the complex.

It said: “Residents have been verbally abused, spat upon and physically threatened.”

There had been clear evidence of drug dealing and drug taking outside Barbers Wharf while young people had been spotted “copulating in carports in broad daylight and a resident found a used condom tied to his door”.

However, police refused to back the bid for restricted access, claiming there had been a lack of evidence of crime or antisocial behaviour.

The Daily Echo has since reported how Barbers Gate resident Allen Saunders saw his 4x4 covered in paint and badly scratched while parked outside his home.

The planning condition, imposed more than 20 years ago, was altered in 1995 to allow lockable gates with opening hours of 8am to 10pm during summer and until 8pm in winter.

Removing the condition could lead to a reduction in access or permanent closure of the gates, which councillors decided would harm the character of the Quay Conservation Area.