A CONSULTATION is taking place for residents of Abergavenny to view proposed plans for a youth shelter in Bailey Park.
Supported by the Community Safety Action Team (CSAT) and Monmouthshire Youth Services it is hoped that a youth shelter will reduce youth crime and disorder and deter them from using the existing rugby stand in the park to congregate.
The idea is to site the shelter adjacent to Park Road in the bottom left hand corner of Bailey Park next to Fairfield car park, which CSAT believe is far enough away from residents not to cause a nuisance as well as being accessible for police officers and youth service staff to keep a check on the area.
Abergavenny's Crime and Disorder Reduction Officer Andy Charles said, "Abergavenny suffers a larger percentage of youth disorder. A youth shelter of this type has been installed in other areas and it has caused a reduction in anti-social behaviour, around 75 to 95 per cent.
"This is a huge reduction. People in this area have suffered from anti-social behaviour for quite a few years. I am hoping the shelter will help eliminate some of their problems."
A design appraisal for the youth shelter has been undertaken by Foothills Design Solutions Ltd, who along with Monmouthshire Youth Services undertook a survey of the area.
It was established that the shelter will need to provide interest and cover which is resistant to vandalism, require a minimum of maintenance, a vandal resistant stone wall possibly with a rendered panel where graffiti is acceptable, to be allowed access when the park is closed which will be achieved by a bridge crossing accessed from the Fairfield car park.
Following this brief, preliminary design sketches and layouts have been prepared by Foothills Design Solutions Ltd.
The report prepared by the company says, "In order to attract youngsters and to appeal to the local community, it was felt that the design needed to be an appropriate and attractive facility that could be used in many ways. For groups kicking around or playing ball games, for sheltering with friends, for gathering in groups and just 'chilling out.'"
The Community Safety Action Team is holding the consultation session today between 3pm and 7pm at the St John Ambulance, Fairfield Car park. where members of CSAT will be on hand displaying the initial designs of the shelter as well as answering any questions or concerns you might have.