COUNCILLORS slammed the victimisation of Penhill residents when approving a play area in Abbey Meads.

Some residents who opposed the principle of play provision on the estate felt the area, to be built on open space sandwiched between Bergman Close and Emerson Close, would encourage gangs of teenagers from Penhill to loiter and vandalise.

But planners agreed that denying young children play facilities would not solve these wider social issues.

Planning committee chairman Maurice Fanning (Lab, Gorse Hill and Pinehurst) read aloud a letter of objection from one angry Abbey Meads resident that was met with universal disgust by councillors.

The letter suggested the bridge connecting Abbey Meads with Penhill should be demolished to deny Penhill residents the chance of coming to the area to cause criminal damage.

Wendy Johnson (Lib Dem, Old Town and Lawn) said the people of Penhill were being unfairly victimised.

"I think young people and young families deserve to have somewhere for recreation we should be commending this," she said.

Coun Fanning added: "The people of Penhill are no different to others in the borough or this country in fact, some of them are a darn sight better than most."

An assortment of equipment in the play area will be fenced off from the nearby brook and covered with wet pour rubber safety surfacing.