"The proposals for the Alderney Recreation Ground area as outlined by the Bourne Stream Partnership I believe would provide many benefits for the area.

- By reinstating the stream, creating new habitats and a viewpoint the area would be improved aesthetically which will help to improve perception of the area as a valuable habitat and open space, rather than a piece of 'wasteland'.

- Providing footpaths, lighting and seating will make the area more usable and improve people's perception of it as a safe and appealing place to walk or play. Creating a space the community can be proud of will improve community ownership and usage.

- The creation of a fishing lake will create diversionary activities for young people and by giving them activities based in the Alderney Recreation Ground they will feel involved and responsible for the space.

- Consultation with the community at every stage of this proposal ensures the community feel their views are being listened to and they have input into the development of the site.

The formation of a working group consisting of different agencies, officers and residents gives strength to this proposal as a number of different views and the different problems faced in the area are being represented. The proposal has been examined from the point of view of different specialisms.

From the point of view of Community Development, involving people in this project could be the catalyst for further community involvement and consultation. Getting residents involved in the development of the Alderney Recreation Ground could therefore lead on to further benefits to the local community.

The Recreation Ground has the potential to be a focal point for a disparate community and a tangible improvement in the environment may galvanise residents into action with other schemes."

"The improvements planned for the Alderney Recreation Ground are crucial to the future stability and social cohesion of the communities that rely on it. The proposed changes will not only develop the physical environment, but by involving the communities in the development stages, a real sense of pride and ownership of the space will be fostered by groups and individuals alike, which will in turn translate into how the site is used and maintained in the future.

This work can ONLY happen with a strong partnership from councils, schools, communities, agencies and providers - as support will be needed from all if the project is to succeed. As a group we can bring a wide variety of skills and resources to the programme, to achieve a careful balance between the environmental needs of the site, the social uses of it, and also the way people feel about where they live.

In my role as Arts in the Community Officer I would see this project as a gateway to future arts events and festivals which could take place on the site, using this safe and communal space for all members of the community to participate in the arts."

"The changes planned for Alderney Recreation Ground will enhance this exciting site by encouraging people to access the area, the stream (a focal point) and will provide a point of interest for many – especially the children and young people who have worked on the site and have already expressed an interest in a pond and flowing water.

From the youth workers perspective the children and young people have been and will be in a position to voice their opinions and contribute to decision making within their community. The practical tasks they are involved with have raised their awareness of local history, knowledge of wildlife and conservation; this has taught them new skills, challenged stereotypes of environmentalism and enabled them to access the correct information about why they/ we should manage the land.

The involvement of young people in the practical work, and consultation on the site will hopefully continue across the generations through the youth club provision, This has only come about through partnership working  - due to the complex involvement of other organisations and agencies with that have an interest in the land."  

At Rossmore Community College we are continually looking for new and effective ways to engage with our young people and local community. Meaningful community engagement can be particularly hard to achieve – we live in a complex area, and it can be difficult to motivate many of our youngsters to participate in active citizenship.

Regeneration of the Alderney Recreation Ground provides an excellent opportunity for our young people and families to determine the future of our local environment, something which is particularly important to many local people. The cultural background of many of our students affords them with a particular affinity to the land. Channelling their energies towards having a direct impact on the local area will be of huge benefit, both for the environment and for the young people.

Evidence shows that many of our young people will remain in the immediate area. And it is vital to gain their long-term participation to ensure success and "ownership" of the area.

Collectively we are developing a number of projects which will result in our young people having a direct impact on the area. Our projects span both formal and informal curriculum areas, and Alderney Rec will provide an invaluable resource for the school and community to carry out further joint programmes.

It is only with the support from local community groups, such as the Bourne Stream Partnership, that we can successfully develop projects which will have such a long-term impact. Regeneration of Alderney Rec provides an excellent opportunity for our students and families to invest in their own future, and create an environment of which they can proud.

"In my role as Sergeant of the Neighbourhood Policing Team for Bourne Valley, I am responsible for addressing the medium and long-term problems of the area. Two of the issues, which cause the highest number of complaints to the policing team are:

1. The illegal riding of motorcycles on the Common and Recreation Ground. This has been the situation for a number of years, despite the best efforts of various agencies to address the problem, which have included adding physical obstacles to the points of entry to prevent bikes being taken on the Common, going into schools to educate youngsters, enforcement of the law, including the issue of Section 59 Notices under the Crime and Disorder Act and even the seizure of the bikes.

2. Deliberate arson attacks on the Heathland. Dorset Police have an operational order which comes into force every year to tackle this problem. It encompasses all of the Heaths and open land in the Borough of Poole, which emphasises the extent of the problem.

Alderney Recreation Ground is a fantastic open space, which at this time, is only seen as a problem area, dumping ground and source of anti-social behaviour.

I believe the proposals present, for the first time, a long term and coherent solution to some of these problems. This development can succeed by engaging the local community and encouraging them to take ownership and an interest in the area, especially the youngsters who have the most to gain from this. With the involvement of so many agencies, interested parties and the will to take this project forward I believe it can achieve it's aims for the benefit of the whole community.

In the long term, with the appropriate safeguards and crime prevention measures built in, I would expect there to be an overall reduction of crime and anti-social behaviour in the area and an improvement in the quality of life for local residents."