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BISHOP'S Waltham Youth Club is in danger of becoming homeless.

The club's current home, a temporary building in Malt Lane, is being sold off by the Youth Hall Trustees and the club, which caters for around 30 youngsters a week, has been given three weeks to find alternative accommodation.

Youth club chairman, and former Mayor of Winchester, Brandy Blunt, begged the Parish Council at a meeting this evening (Tuesday July 8) to help the club find a new home.

Mr Blunt said: "The Youth Club are being put out on the street on August 1. I am looking for help for the youth of Bishop's Waltham because we don't want our youth back on the streets. The police and everyone knows what happens when you shut the door on the youth of Bishop's Waltham. It has happened more than once and it is down to you as the Parish Council, and everyone else, to do something about it."

Cllr David McLean responded by saying that there had been offers on the table to the use of a buildings at Priory Park and Hoe Road but those had been turned down.

Cllr Bill Gilling, chairman of the halls committee for the Parish Council added: "Alternatives have been offered at for any evening at Hoe Road, but my understanding is that that is not acceptable. We offered Friday evening at Priory Park and that is not acceptable. We have been trying to do things and we are sympathetic to the youth of Bishop's Waltham."

Inspector Jim Peglar, sector inspector for Winchester East, was at the meeting and added: "From a policing point of view we cannot just keep moving youths on. We have got to look at sustainable solutions. I want to do that by working with our partners, the Parish Council, Hampshire County Council and Winchester City Council."

Hampshire County Council provide the funding for Bishop's Waltham Youth Club and its equipment.

David Mackie, Hampshire County Council's Youth Team Manager explained after the meeting that the building at Hoe Road was not suitable because it was damp, some young people had said it is in the wrong location and there was not enough room for their equipment.

He added that the club house at Priory Park would be perfect but that the facilities were not strong enough to attract youngsters to the club on Friday nights and the youth club was looking to secure their current meeting time of Thursday evenings.

Mr Mackie said: "I am positive we can work with the Parish Council to provide a solution that means that young people will have a place to go and continue to meet with youth workers and to use the facilities."

9:14pm Tuesday 8th July 2008

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