RESIDENTS' dreams for a new play area in Crabbs Cross could be scuppered tonight because of fears it would attract more antisocial behaviour.

More than 300 residents had signed a petition asking the council to install new play equipment, goalposts and benches on 'The Pleck' playing fields between Harry Taylor First School and Walkwood Road.

The cost would be about £75,000 plus £3,000 a year to maintain but in a report for the council's executive committee, officers are more concerned about the problems of antisocial behaviour which the play area could attract.

An old play area on the site had been removed and there was an original intention to build a new one nearby but that plan was scrapped because residents were fed up with the behaviour of older youths in the area.

The report says since the play area was removed, the problems of antisocial behaviour, including littering, had decreased.

The report adds: "The police do not feel a new play area should be developed on this site, based on historical problems, and as they do not have the resources to police the site to the extent that would be necessary."

Of the 314 petitioners, only 19 lived next to the site and several letters of objection to the idea had also been received.

Officers recommended the plan be refused by the executive committee tonight.