IN response to the nameless nimbys (Letters, March 21) who have chosen to live adjacent to the play area:

Now that it is being used for its intended purpose as the area for residents (I know of no age limit) to play in, thanks in part to the efforts of the Bishopsmead playpark project, they have found a voice to complain, only 18 months after being invited, along with all Bishopsmead residents, to join the BPP.

The bouncing of a basketball may be irksome and footballs have been kicked in the park for years, but kids on the streets is the alternative. Don't just be negative, come up with something positive to this age-old problem, not just 'do it somewhere else'.

Their suggestion that older children should go elsewhere to play must mean the Meadows (where else?) a round trip of over one and three quarter miles along the busy main road. The Meadows, that I'm sure the nimbys would not encourage their grandchildren to visit during the evenings with its perennial drink and vandalism problems.

We, the council tax payers with children, are only taking advantage of the facilities provided for this estate of family houses.

Scott Eslick

1 Rowan Close

Bishopsmead

WE have been raising money towards putting new equipment so young adults such as ourselves have somewhere to go and not hang round on the streets outside people's houses.

The council has kindly given us a basketball post free for a head start to completing the play park which will be mainly used between the ages of 8 to 18.

Some residents of the Bishopsmead area are complaining about basketballs etc being bounced, but no mention on dogs, which leave their business in a child's and young adult's environment. Do they think this is acceptable for us to play in? Personally, we don't.

Why should we go some place else when there is a play park on the estate where we live?

The residents who live near the play park did not state another place in walking distance for us to go. So if they know where we should go could they please tell us?

Our parents are taxpayers too, so we think we have equally as much right as the residents. Why are teenagers the main problem?

There was a form handed out to every house on the Bishopsmead estate saying what would people like to see in the play park. And most people agreed with basketball being played there.

We are afraid wherever we go someone will find something to complain about!

Teenagers of Bishopsmead

WITH reference to the letter (March 21) about the Bishopsmead play area.

About 24 years ago we looked at one of the houses backing onto the play area. Even with two young children we decided against buying. We knew there would be balls being kicked, thrown and hit about. it's the norm of things with young children; always has been even when I was a youngster.

They (and rightly so) get told off for playing in the roads. Now they seem to be unable to play where they are allowed.

I presume these people viewed their houses before buying and knew the play area was already there. I cannot see how they can now complain.

G Dodd

28 Willow Road

Bishopsmead