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Anti-social behaviour fuels calls for demolition of Sion Mills police station

Thursday, 1 July 2010

Andy Patton, of Sion Mills Community Forum, pictured outside Sion Mills police station.

A CAMPAIGN calling for the demolition of Sion Mills police station has been mounted, as anti-social incidents at the site continue.
The calls, which are being backed by a range of MLAs and local councillors, have been made by members of the Sion Mills Community Forum. They say that the extensive building, which closed in 2007, has become a 'magnet' for anti-social behaviour, with incidents occurring every weekend.
The former police station was acquired by Oaklee Housing Association following the station's closure. Local community leader, Andy Patton, who sits on Sion Mills Community Forum, said the agency had intended to use the site to provide social housing. He has now been told by the Association that that plan is 'on the long finger' because there is 'no need for social housing [in the village] at the minute'.
So where does that leave the community in Sion Mills? That is the question Mr Patton and others on the Community Forum have been asking for some months, as complaints of anti-social behaviour around the building continue to flow in.
Bottles thrown
Mr Patton said he has asked young people who congregate near the site at weekends, not to thrown bottles or paint bombs at its walls. However, the incidents continue on a weekly basis, and he believes that as long as the building remains the problems will continue.
He is now calling for Oaklee Housing Association to level the building and sanitise the site, a demand he said is unanimously backed by members of the Forum.
“I put it to the Forum and I got overwhelming support. They all want it levelled. The Community Forum is made up of the Neighbourhood Watch, sports groups, church groups, the (Sion Mills) Primary School is on it, recreation groups are on it, the fishing club. So it encompasses a wide range of people," Mr Patton said on Monday.
“I think it is a concern that Oaklee have nothing planned for it (the site) at the minute. I have brought this up with Oaklee several times. They said they have carried out a survey and there is no further need for extra housing... so their plans to build on it are on the long finger. What are we supposed to do? All we want is it demolished. I have been told that it would cost £50,000 to demolish the building and sanitise the site. But I feel that Oaklee has a duty of care to people in Sion Mills.
“This has been ongoing," he added. "I started patrolling the area at night and every weekend there are incidents, bottles and paint bombs are thrown at it. The glass goes everywhere and then you have people walking their dogs on that path.
‘Eyesore'
“This is not politically motivated. This is what people want. It was a police station, but it is an eyesore now, and it is becoming a magnet for anti-social incidents."
The calls are being backed by a number of councillors and MLAs, including West Tyrone MLA, Pat Doherty, and Strabane district councillor, Derek Hussey.
“It is a matter of great concern that the new owners of the former police station in Sion Mills have, at this point in time, left the premises to deteriorate to its present state. The presence of such an eyesore in the midst of the village is further exacerbated by the attraction of anti social behaviour in and around the building," said Mr Hussey.
“The site is on the main route through Sion Mills and indeed through our entire council area and, in its present state, does nothing to enhance people's perceptions of our community.
“It is my belief that Oaklee Housing Association, the current owners, have a duty to the people of Sion Mills and our entire community to remedy this unacceptable situation."
He added: "There is no doubt that Oaklee would not allow such a situation to exist within one of their housing developments and they have absolutely no right to allow such a situation to exist in Sion Mills!
“This issue needs to be addressed, sooner rather than later, and I will be asking council to request an immediate meeting with representatives of Oaklee to explain the present position and how they are going to fulfil their duty of care to the Sion Mills community."
The Strabane Weekly News asked Oaklee Housing Association to respond to a number of questions. A response was not available at the time of going to press.

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