A WAR of words has broken out over plans for a teenage activity centre in Worcester.
Worcester Liberal Democrats have criticised Coun Alan Amos for using “populist fear tactics” in his opposition to the proposed teenage activity centre on The Green near Weyburn Close in Lower Wick.
Coun Amos – who is now standing for Reform UK in the upcoming county council elections – has claimed the project will lead to anti-social behaviour and called the investment “a disaster nobody wants”.
But Lib Dem councillors say this is just another example of exploiting unfounded fears for political gain, while offering no practical solutions.
Coun Mel Allcott, who sits on the place and economic development committee that approved funding for the scheme, said: “The Worcester Play Plan is a carefully developed strategy, based on thorough research and community engagement. It highlights a clear lack of facilities for older children in areas like Lower Wick.
“Like any project of this nature, it is subject to ongoing consultation and the council is committed to engaging with local residents to ensure the final design meets the needs of the whole community. But what we can’t do is pretend the solution to concerns about anti-social behaviour is to do nothing and leave young people with nowhere to go.”
Stephen Dorrell, former Conservative health secretary and the Liberal Democrat candidate standing against Coun Amos in the Bedwardine division, also weighed in.
He said: “Alan Amos’s Trump-style rhetoric is designed to inflame, not inform. It offers no serious proposals—just scare stories
aimed at exploiting the fears of people he thinks might vote for him.
“We need to invest in young people, not vilify them. Facilities like this are exactly the kind of forward-looking, evidence-based initiatives local councils should be delivering.”
The Worcester Play Plan, adopted by councillors last year, is a ten-year vision for improving outdoor play spaces across the city. It identifies key gaps in provision, particularly for older children, and aims to create inclusive spaces that reflect the needs of different communities.
The proposed activity centre in Lower Wick is being funded through the Community Infrastructure Levy and is currently undergoing local consultation.
Coun Amos told the Observer he was merely supporting the views of the residents he represented who had made clear to him they did not want a youth centre on The Green due to concerns over noise, litter, anti-social behaviour and lack of policing.
