In a project that had been seemingly supported by the Town Council, Midsomer Norton Councillors are perhaps becoming nervous about the Community Trust’s initiative to develop an outreach hub in a shipping container at the Gullock Tyning skatepark.

The area, which has experienced anti-social behaviour for some time, is a controversial one; however, the idea arose from feedback from young people in the area who wanted somewhere safe to go. £21,000 was secured from B&NES Council last year to create two facilities, with the other based at Orchard Vale.

The Town Council has helped support the Norton Youth Club with funding, based at the Town Hall, which is operated by a working partnership of the Midsomer Norton Community Trust and the Wansdyke Play Association. It has been so popular, that with over fifty young people attending, many are calling for additional outreach activities and support; and whilst the area is a difficult one, it was hoped the containers could be a solution to help ease problems there.

Wanting to be involved in the consultation process, a number of young people have voiced their views on the Youth Hub shipping container proposed for the Midsomer Norton Skate Park.

But in its comments to B&NES Council, the Town Council’s planning committee have instead suggested a temporary siting of the container for a trial period of twelve months.

Whilst they acknowledge ‘the desirability of providing the service’, concerns have been raised over the containers having no electricity, running water or toilets, and the unattractiveness of the structures themselves.

Local residents and individuals on the Somer Centre Management Committee have also vigorously voiced their concerns. They fear it will attract more anti-social behaviour in the area, including vandalism, drug-taking, noise, racing cars and mopeds.

However, those in favour of the initiative say that it has been designed to be opened and managed only at specific times by Youth Workers to carry out outreach work with young people. The aim of the project is to provide activities for young people to do, and give advice and support in order to reduce the anti-social behaviour. Many of those that live in the area are elderly and say they are intimidated by groups gathering at night.

Such is the feeling on this issue that many of the young people involved with the Youth Club have engaged with the B&NES Planning Process and put across their point of view.

Many of them said they want the shipping container to provide a ‘safe space’ to ‘hang out’. They also note that bottled water and battery-powered electricity could be used, that the Sports Centre has toilets they can access, and ask that the concerns of residents be overcome ‘with a little thought and understanding’.

Some of the comments include: ‘I think this installation will help younger people feel more safe in the area and it will make them feel more involved’; ‘I am a young person, and this can offer a safe opportunity for me and my friends’.

Other respondents add: ‘The point of the hubs is to encourage more positive interactions and usage of the skate park with children and younger youth, rather than encourage adults to continue what they are already doing’, and: ‘This is something that our Youth have asked for in official consultation and would enable positive work to take place to challenge anti-social behaviour reported in the area and make it safe, at least during certain hours, for young people to use the space constructively. This can be the start of change for the better in the area.’

Despite the arguments for and against, it is encouraging to see that young people are using these statutory processes to ensure their voices and needs are considered alongside those of adults.

The consultation period has now closed, and a decision by B&NES Council is expected shortly.