Improvements to streets and pavements and more youth facilities came top in a survey by Sally Keeble of residents about how they think money from the sale of local school sites should be spent.

The survey  of residents views in Blackthorn, Eastfield, Raeburn and St Davids found:

• Improvements to existing roads and pavements got top priority from local residents overall.
• Better youth facilities came top in Eastfield and a close second in Raeburn and St Davids.
• Just over 70 per cent of people in Blackthorn wanted to see planning gain used to provide better parking for residents.
• Developers should contribute towards better bus services, and CCTV according to many of the residents.

Sally said: “People were provided with a list of options that had been drawn up by the authorities. Their views were very clear – they wanted improvements to the existing infrastructure of roads and pavements, and better services for young people.  This reflects some very deep-seated views in the communities about the deterioration of the local environment and the lack of facilities for young people – leading to some real problems of anti-social  behaviour on some of the estates.

 “I trust that the local authorities will listen very carefully to what the local residents have to say, consult them closely, and make sure that any benefits that accrue from the development of these former school sites is used to meet the priorities of the local communities.”