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Setback for free runners' parkour plan
A PARKOUR area for fans of free running is unlikely to be provided in Telscombe after plans to build it in Chatsworth Park were turned down.
The town council considered the idea put forward by REGEN, on behalf of young people, for an area to allow devotees to practise the activity.
It also looked at having a trim trail or exercise path. But some residents living nearby said they were worried about the effect it would have.
Pat Bowman, of Cavendish Close, said: 'Chatsworth Park was designed to be a tranquil area for the use of residents. We feel the parkour and Trim Trail combined will produce a noise level which will disturb residents whose properties adjoin the park.
'The Trim Trail, in particular, is designed to be for families, who will want to come in cars, particularly if they have younger children, but there is no provision for parking. Ambleside Avenue already suffers with car parking by the children's' play area.'
In turning down the proposal, the council said it had not ruled out allowing it elsewhere in the town. Liz Lee, from REGEN, a group aimed at regenerating Peacehaven and Telscombe, said: 'We are going to look at other sites. There were about 20 residents who complained about noise.
'Young people do gather there at night and undoubtedly there is a small amount of anti-social behaviour with drink and so forth but those type of young people will gather anyway.
'I just think it is a shame councillors could not see beyond noise worries. This was an opportunity to provide something, not just for teenagers, but for the whole community.
'I think they lacked a bit of vision.
'The boys worked really hard over the past year. They have been attending council meetings, doing presentations to councillors and meeting architects.
'Too much hard work has gone into this for us to give up. We are looking at other sites but probably not in Telscombe.'
A council spokesman said the council was not against the idea in principle but had to find the right place for such activities. She said they had received a number of letters and objections from residents.
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Weather for Horsham
Wednesday 23 May 2012
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Temperature: 14 C to 26 C
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