A CLYDEBANK councillor has come under fire for suggesting play parks are a hotspot for anti-social behaviour.

Bailie Denis Agnew raised concerns in Wednesday’s planning committee meeting over the number of play parks a “stone’s throw away” from each other which cause problems for neighbouring residents.

He told the Post following the meeting that parks being in too close proximity to one another - such as the two parks near Drumry high flats - and neighbouring residents’ homes meant they can be “abused” and result in anti-social behaviour.

Bailie Agnew said the council should consider the placement of the parks more carefully and look at the refurbishment of existing parks as opposed to creating new structures.

He added: “I think there needs to be a more even spread – there’s parts of Clydebank that don’t have any at all but some people don’t want them right next to them and you can understand that. They shouldn’t be so close to houses the way they are.”

But John Hainey, chairman of Linnvale and Drumry community council, disagreed, saying: “I’m very much in favour of small pocket parks being spread out but people are more afraid of their kids getting into trouble.

“If they can see a play park or where the kids are going, they’re more inclined to let them go.”

Councillor Douglas McAllister, who campaigned to have parks provided in his Kilpatrick ward, also disagreed with Bailie Agnew’s view.

He said the previous Labour administration’s move to set aside £2 million for parks in certain areas had been welcomed and said it was crucial parks were located close to children’s homes for their safety.

He added: “I think it’s a security issue [to build parks further away from residential developments]. What’s he suggesting? We put them out the way? I’m not very comfortable with that.”

Inspector David Quinn, of Clydebank police, added: “This type of behaviour is closely monitored. Where an increase in incidents or reported offences are identified extra resources are deployed to combat this.

“There is nothing to suggest at this time that children’s play areas are more likely to be the scene of anti-social behaviour but these areas are patrolled regularly by community policing officers.”

Bailie Agnew told the committee the council had previously made a “huge mistake” when implementing a playpark in Kilbowie several years ago which “cost the council quite a lot of money” and he insisted Greenspace - who currently decide where the planning gain-funded parks should go - should no longer have control over placement.

He said: “They went ahead and developed a children’s play park on the corner of East Thomson Street and Kilbowie Road without taking into account the new houses being built. The owner at that time took issue with it.”

However, council officer Pamela Clifford insisted issues of this nature would be part of the review of the process as part of a proposed new system for collecting, distributing and monitoring developer contributions.

Cllr Lawrence O’Neill stated: “Can I then propose that we include somewhere that elected members are invited in the demonstration and discussion?”

Bailie Agnew seconded the proposal and Ms Clifford agreed.

A total of £363,798, from £651,057.23 worth of development contributions from the last decade, was spent on the East Thomson Street development as well as two other play park facilities and parking improvements in Dumbarton.

The remaining balance of £287,258.94 is proposed to be used towards the total cost of new play and recreation facilities in Radnor Park. The cash will also go towards improved facilities for Loch Lomond Rugby Club and parking improvements in Dumbarton.