A SPORTS pitch for five-a-side football and basketball has been shown the green light by planners - despite objections from neighbour- ing residents.

The 24x15-metre tarmac pitch for Manor Road play area in Stourport would be a magnet for trouble, councillors were told.

An existing play area on the site had been blighted by vandalism, broken bottles, needles and noise, four letters of objection stated.

This was backed up by resident, Elaine Stancer, who personally addressed Wyre Forest District Council's planning (development control) committee.

She said: "Over the last few years I have noticed the park has become a very different place to the peaceful, family-orientated place it used to be."

Mrs Stancer said neighbours were "frightened by the threat of violence" and the pitch, to go midway between properties in Manor Close and Prospect Road, would only increase disruption.

"You ignore these facts at our community's peril. It is a terrible shame for the area that the needs of many should be governed by the few."

The crime risk manager at West Mercia Constabulary, however, said the application, by Wyre Forest Community Housing, "would not create any further significant impact on the likelihood of crime and disorder occurring".

Three letters of support included one stating it would "alleviate boredom and anti-social behaviour".

Speaking at last Thursday's meeting, Councillor Howard Martin said: "Only time will tell if we approve this whether it will improve the situation or worsen it.

"I have sympathy that there are problems there but when you get a facility like this it is often easier to get a higher police profile."

Councillor Ken Stokes added: "I feel something like this has to be tried out simply because it gives them something of their own. The proviso is if they behave anti-socially - and that is not acceptable to the residents around there - it will be taken away."