New hope for residents 'sick' of crime magnet park

Hopes are growing that a neglected park space hit by anti-social behaviour could soon be given a new lease of life as a sports and leisure facility.

The land at Scotchman Road in Heaton was once a popular community space, before it fell into disrepair and started attracting troublemakers.

Local campaigner Hamza Rehman recently launched a petition - gathering more than 1,000 signatures - calling for the site to be cleaned up and repurposed.

Ian Walker, Bradford Council's communities and neighbourhoods spokesman, said it was looking at "viable" options to redevelop the space.

Rehman said: "We've heard lots of promises over the years. What we really need now is the council to deliver."

He added he was "really happy" to hear any kind of investment could potentially be on the horizon, as local families were "sick" of anti-social behaviour at the site.

"Fences are broken, the astroturf has been destroyed, I've picked up around 100 gas bottles (nitrous oxide canisters) from here myself," he said.

"This was a space where people came together, where kids played and friendships were made.

"Nobody who grew up around here wants to see it like this.

"More than 1,000 people have signed the petition I started because they know what this facility meant to this community and what it could mean again."

Walker said the council was "currently working with funding partners on a potential redevelopment of the former Scotchman Road site as a sports venue".

"The process is in its infancy, and initial surveys are yet to be concluded," he said.

"We will consult with local groups if the project is viable.

"If it is not viable, we will look to work with local communities on a potential community-led project."

However Rehman stressed the need to repair the Scotchman Road site was even greater now the Reform-led council had scrapped plans for a leisure centre at nearby Squire Lane – which were first proposed more than a decade ago.

"The minute this place gets new life, I can promise that it will be used really well," he said.

"I used to play here when I was a kid and it was incredibly popular.

"There are lots of families locally who have a connection to this astroturf - and we want to keep that connection alive."

Rehman said he and supporters were also in the early stages of bidding to take over the running of the site as an asset of community value, which would require a formal transfer from the council to the community.

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