FEARFUL…Elderly residents of Coleshill Park are worried about possible anti-social behaviour that a proposed new community centre might create
A GROUP of elderly people say they are “living in fear” over plans to build a £1.9 million community centre in the West End in Enniskillen – claiming it will attract anti-social behaviour.
Up to 200 people have signed a petition against the project on Windmill Drive and have called on Fermanagh District Council to relocate the development.
However, an economic appraisal of the building was approved at last week’s monthly council meeting which will be used to support an application for financial assistance to the Department of Social Development.
Elderly residents living in the Windmill Drive area describe it as a quiet, close knit community. However, they revealed to the Herald that their properties have been attacked in the last few weeks and have asked to remain anonymous out of fear they could be intimidated.
“We have seen young people smashing flower pots and wrecking gardens, stealing plants and throwing things out on to the road,” he said.
“Things seem to be going wrong and we are concerned that this new community hall will attract more anti-social behaviour to the area.
“An elderly neighbour of ours, who lives on her own, was left in tears after her garden was destroyed.
“We have lived here for over 40 years and this is a very close knit community – we all know each other very well. There are others who have been here longer and now we are getting to the stage where we are getting old and retiring and want to live in peace and quiet.
“As for the community centre, we are not against it, we just don’t want it right outside our homes. We suggested vacant buildings or other green areas but we were told no, they weren’t suitable.”
The new building would cost the council approximately £400,000 while they rest would be funded by the Neighbourhood Renewal Project.
The residents explained that a similar proposal was put forward 18 months ago, but after a number of objections, FDC withdrew the plans.
“We were promised that a building wouldn’t be put there but now they’re going back on their word.
“If this goes ahead teenagers will be hanging about using bad language and drinking and hanging around to all hours of the night – we have no say over what happens on our doorstep.
“We don’t understand why it’s being pushed on us, and as well as that no one comes to speak to any who lives in the area to find out what we think.
“We feel very let down as no one has come to help us. We all own these houses around here and this building will spoil the sale if we want to move elsewhere.
“It’s peace we want but we are being picked on.”
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