‘Nit-picking’ or a real risk of ‘foul language’ at new play park right next to Deerbolt Prison

FOUL language and safety fears at a children’s play park have sparked unrest about its location.

The play area on the new Bowes Gardens housing estate, in Startforth Park, sits next to the fence of Deerbolt Young Offenders’ Institution and borders the A67.

It was completed last week but Startforth Park grandmother Susan Goat has road safety concerns and fears bad language from inmates will be within earshot of youngsters.

The 61-year-old said: “If you come here at 9pm at night the lads shout at each other through the cell windows.

“As you can imagine the language is a bit flowery but at the end of the day the prison was here first.

“The lads who built it have done a good job but you cannot be seen and we’re very close to the A67.

“Somewhere in the middle I would have thought would be better.”

Startforth Park’s Andrew Hinchcliffe was also unhappy, branding the park an “idiot idea”.

He added: “Walking past you can hear bad language from the prison and, as reported some time ago, drugs were being thrown over the fence – I believe this is still happening. All children living or going to live on Bowes Gardens are at risk of hearing bad language, meeting, getting involved with, or being groomed by drug dealers.”

Developers Taylor Wimpey began building homes at Bowes Gardens two years ago.

Mr Hinchcliffe feared the park’s proximity to the road was “putting children at

risk”, adding that his concerns had been ignored in the

past.

A Bowes Gardens resident, who did not wish to be named, thought the facility was not suitable for young children.

“On a night we are going to get teenagers in here – it’s ideal to congregate,” she added.

“There is no practical reason why it could not be moved.” Letters and emails have been sent to developers, Durham county councillors and Teesdale’s MP Helen Goodman about the park.

But some Bowes Gardens residents did not share all the misgivings.

Mother-of-one Ashlie High said those complaining were “nit-picking”.

She added: “If you are going to move into a house next

to a prison what do you expect?

“To be quite honest they are no bother – we might hear a bit of shouting but you make that decision.

“As far as the play park, I can see where people are coming from but if you look at it, it is designed for small children and they are not going to be left unsupervised.”

Neighbour and fellow mother-of-one Katie Wood agreed.

She said: “I grew up playing around here – we have always played near the road.

“It’s not really a problem to me – maybe they should have a railing around it but it’s not really an issue.”

Startforth Park’s Pat Estall said the noise from Deerbolt was nothing new.

Mr Estall said: “It should always be a concern – at the end of the day if kids are playing next to an area, the last thing you want to hear is foul language.

“There is enough abuse in the world without having them encouraged – it is not nice.

“We do not want to over-exercise the point but I think it’s a genuine concern.”

A spokesperson for Taylor Wimpey North East said: “As a homebuilder committed to ensuring our housing developments offer the best in amenities and facilities for our residents, we wanted to build the play area to offer families with an outdoor space to enjoy together.

“As with any public play area we advise that children are accompanied by an adult when using the facilities.”