Youths force ball park closure

Years of campaigning and fund raising went into providing the large park for youngsters on the estate, but for the last three weeks its gates have been locked to the world.

According to the park's caretaker, a volunteer, youths were entering the park in the evening and allowing dogs to foul on the tarmac surface. When he came to lock the gates shut at 9pm every evening, the caretaker found the park in a worsening state of disorder.

After being confronted by threats of violence, the man, who lives nearby, decided enough was enough and handed in his notice. His post has yet to be filled by a replacement.

'It's very sad,' said Julie Keen, secretary of the Diplocks Tenants' Participation Association. 'We have worked so hard for the best part of five years to get this ball park for the kids.

'Now, thanks to a small minority, the majority of its users have to suffer. Where we go from here is down to the town council.'

Town councillor Nick Ellwood said the matter will hopefully be resolved through the district council. Names and addresses of those responsible will be passed to the council for eviction action.

'The parents of these people should be held to account,' said Cllr Ellwood. 'It's an absolute tragedy because that park was designed to get the kids off the streets there's more than 500 children on that estate.

'Now they can't use the park thanks to a select few problem people. But rest assured, action will be taken as swiftly as possible to rid the Diplocks of people like that.'

Wealden District Council can evict people from its social housing for many reasons including 'un-neighbourly behaviour'. Such accusations do not have to be proven in a court of law.