OVER the last 12 months, many letters have been written about the application for planning permission by Holcombe Brook Sports Club to enable it to relocate its premises from Longsight Road to new facilities on land off Hazel Hall Lane.

The plans were rejected in December 2005 on the grounds of protecting green belt land.

In the same period of time I have read numerous letters from residents and council representatives complaining about the young people of Ramsbottom and about how they hang around on street corners and cause trouble.

I don't dispute that this does happen, but hardly any of those letters have attempted to look at how the issue can be positively addressed. It seems everyone wants to fix the effect' by banning the youngsters from being in groups rather than address the cause' by looking at ways of giving them something to do to keep them off the streets.

It is time for some joined up thinking' and support for people like those who run the Holcombe Brook Sports Club.

Over half the members of the club are juniors. The club runs at least five junior teams and many of the teenagers play in the adult teams several evenings a week.

The club house is made available for the juniors to meet and socialise after matches.

Moving to the proposed new location would enable the club to attract more members and offer improved facilities.

Not moving will probably result in the club going into decline and not being able to offer what it can today.

There is a dedicated group of adults currently doing something positive for the youngsters of Ramsbottom, yet the local authorities have blocked the way forward.

I truly hope the planning inspectorate find in favour of the appeal.

It will be at least a small step towards addressing the cause' rather than the effect'.

COLIN GREENE