A MEETING will be arranged between residents, councillors and Eaves Brook Housing Association to try to solve the problem of nuisance youths hanging around the Cragg Street play area in Colne.

Members of the Colne and District Area Committee decided that the best way forward to try and reduce the number of complaints from residents about youngsters causing trouble on the play area was to work together.

Eaves Brook had earlier suggested that a wider consultation on any changes to the play area would be required.

Residents have complained to the council for several years about youths kicking footballs over the perimeter wall which hit and cause damage to cars and house doors and windows.

The fence along the side of the play area has also been damaged and has a hole in it which children can walk through.

A meeting was held in June between members of the committee, residents and representatives from Eaves Brook Housing Association who are responsible for the area.

The preferred solution to the problem was to reduce the height of the wall and remove the fencing, goal posts and markings.

Other options discussed were to decommission the play area and return the land to Council ownership or introduce a higher fence in a different material, full netting, anti-vandal paint and to restart opening and locking the play area.

A letter has been sent to Eaves Brook and the chairman of Manchester District Housing Association informing them that if they do not comply with planning conditions enforcement action will be taken and the council's partnership with them will be severed.