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Girl Guide campsite blocked by worried locals
A GIRL guide campsite has been blocked by villagers who fear it will bring chaos to their peaceful lives.
All the youngsters wanted was a spot to build their campfires and gather round to sing songs.
But people living in a nearby hamlet fear it will bring "noise and disruption" to the rural idyll.
The North Tyneside Guide Association uses the former Kirknewton Church of England first school field, in Kirknewton near Berwick, Northumberland, for camping trips.
Guide leaders are now seeking a change of use to provide a site for youth groups and to build an accompanying amenity block.
But the use of the words "youth groups" in the application has prompted villagers to fear youngsters staying at the site will bring trouble to their doorsteps.
They are also concerned there will be a massive increase in the number of people coming to their quiet rural community.
The Guides have insisted the only noise will be them singing around the campfire.
But retired Brian Cox, 60, of Kirknewton House, said that while people were happy to welcome Guides to the hamlet "there have been certain concerns about noise levels".
He added: "The real concern is for the future with what could potentially be a large number of people on the site from a variety of organisations."
Coun Brian Sharpe, acting chairman of the parish council, added: "I think the fear is that it is a quiet country district and if groups of people come, some of the groups may be unsuitable."
The school closed in 2003 and was later bought by the Guides. Shortly afterwards, planning permission was awarded for the conversion of the
school into a dormitory.
However, asbestos was later found in the building, which means the Guides will eventually have to demolish and replace it.
As yet, the money has not been raised to do this, but the organisation does have enough to build an amenity block, to complement camping on the field.
It claims this is needed as, at present, girls are having to walk to the village hall to use its toilets due to a lack of on-site facilities.
Ann Lilley, county commissioner for the North Tyneside association, said access would be limited to Guides, Scouts, and possibly church groups - all organisations "we approve of".
She said the campsite would accommodate no more than 40 people at any one time.
Mrs Lilley said there would be a certain amount of noise associated with children enjoying themselves - such as singing around the campfire, but said the youngsters would be supervised at all times.
She said: "We just want to make opportunities available for girls and boys to enjoy nature and the countryside.
"There has been a lot of misinformation and misconception around the village."
An initial planning application was submitted to Northumberland National Park Authority in January, but was later withdrawn following opposition.
An informal residents' committee held several meetings to air concerns, attended by most of the 30 people living in the hamlet, and Kirknewton Parish Council also objected.
10:02am Thursday 27th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: Ann, Darlington on 12:54pm Thu 27 Mar 08
Bah Humbug!
Posted by: merryn gibson, darlo on 2:57pm Thu 27 Mar 08
selfish pigs!
Posted by: shelly, darlington on 3:33pm Thu 27 Mar 08
Another example of kids best interests being ignored for the sake of keeping the peace. The streets are not safe for our children but we don't have anywhere else for them to go!
Another example of kids best interests being ignored for the sake of keeping the peace. The streets are not safe for our children but we don't have anywhere else for them to go!
Posted by: Sandra, Darlington on 4:54pm Thu 27 Mar 08
Are these people that petty that they don't want kids to have a safe pasttime, they did when they were kids. For goodness sake its only kids not a pop concert they are wanting to put on the feild
Are these people that petty that they don't want kids to have a safe pasttime, they did when they were kids. For goodness sake its only kids not a pop concert they are wanting to put on the feild
Posted by: JL Shannon, Uxbridge on 6:19pm Thu 27 Mar 08
Is this the [bold]same[/bold] Brian Cox of Kirknewton who, some two years ago, wrote letters to the local press, expressing his distaste for visitors, tourists and other 'undesirables' who might presume to invade Northumberland in general - and Kirknewton in particular? I lived for many years in rural Northumberland and know Kirknewton very well! I cannot believe that the views expressed by Mr Cox are shared by the majority of Kirknewton's residents. I hope I'm right!
Is this the
same Brian Cox of Kirknewton who, some two years ago, wrote letters to the local press, expressing his distaste for visitors, tourists and other 'undesirables' who might presume to invade Northumberland in general - and Kirknewton in particular? I lived for many years in rural Northumberland and know Kirknewton very well! I cannot believe that the views expressed by Mr Cox are shared by the majority of Kirknewton's residents. I hope I'm right!
Posted by: jen, co.durham on 10:10am Fri 28 Mar 08
Brian Cox.. do you own that part of northumberland, and own everyone who goes into it? Its a free country, if these guides and other groups of children want to go camping there, then whats it got to do with you. Its not private land, so stop being selfish and go back to your chair with your slippers and paper!,, oh, and if the noise bothers you so much, get some ear muffs!
Brian Cox.. do you own that part of northumberland, and own everyone who goes into it? Its a free country, if these guides and other groups of children want to go camping there, then whats it got to do with you. Its not private land, so stop being selfish and go back to your chair with your slippers and paper!,, oh, and if the noise bothers you so much, get some ear muffs!
Posted by: Ruth, Barnard Castle on 5:52pm Fri 28 Mar 08
You know what? I think Brian Cox and his 'posse' have every right to be concerned about the Girl Guides; all that wanton marshmallow -toasting and strange chants of '**** bay ah' round the camp-fire - clearly those girls are up to no good!! Brian ....get a life!
You know what? I think Brian Cox and his 'posse' have every right to be concerned about the Girl Guides; all that wanton marshmallow -toasting and strange chants of '**** bay ah' round the camp-fire - clearly those girls are up to no good!! Brian ....get a life!
Posted by: William Hawthorn, Hertfordshire on 10:11pm Fri 28 Mar 08
Who does this Cox think he is? We live in a democracy, not Stalinist Russia, where the priveleged few could live in their private dachas and not allow the peasantry to interrupt their field of vision. This is nimbyism of the most despicable and offensive kind. I feel sorry for the residents of Kirknewton, most of whom doubltess are not bothered one way or the other by the guides.
Who does this Cox think he is? We live in a democracy, not Stalinist Russia, where the priveleged few could live in their private dachas and not allow the peasantry to interrupt their field of vision. This is nimbyism of the most despicable and offensive kind. I feel sorry for the residents of Kirknewton, most of whom doubltess are not bothered one way or the other by the guides.
Posted by: V Stainthorpe, Hexham on 10:19pm Fri 28 Mar 08
Echoing the views of Ruth, Jen, JL Shannon et al, as a frequent visitor to Kirknewton, I am dismayed by the view taken by Mr Cox and others. Do they really expect these groups to run into the thousands? I imagine there is a limit to the noise and damage that 20 or so guides at a time can commit. Kirknewton is in a quite breathtaking situation, please allow others to enjoy it! This sort of nimbyism does the reputation of rural dwellers no favours at all!
Echoing the views of Ruth, Jen, JL Shannon et al, as a frequent visitor to Kirknewton, I am dismayed by the view taken by Mr Cox and others. Do they really expect these groups to run into the thousands? I imagine there is a limit to the noise and damage that 20 or so guides at a time can commit. Kirknewton is in a quite breathtaking situation, please allow others to enjoy it! This sort of nimbyism does the reputation of rural dwellers no favours at all!
Posted by: Dave, Northwest on 4:44pm Sat 29 Mar 08
Excuse me Mr Cox, but if this building was once used as a school, I'n pretty sure the niose levels will not hit the same heights the facility being used as a campsite for "youth groups". I take it Mr Cox and the other objectors must have difficulty remembering ever being that young. Let them use the building and facilities rather than let it fall into a state of disrepair as most ex school buildingas do. IF the noise levels become too much, THEN object, not before they even set up there.
Excuse me Mr Cox, but if this building was once used as a school, I'n pretty sure the niose levels will not hit the same heights the facility being used as a campsite for "youth groups". I take it Mr Cox and the other objectors must have difficulty remembering ever being that young. Let them use the building and facilities rather than let it fall into a state of disrepair as most ex school buildingas do. IF the noise levels become too much, THEN object, not before they even set up there.
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