It was always going to be a tough call. Whatever decision was made over the plan for a play area in memory of nine-year-old Casey Mason it was going to cause distress and disappointment.

Keighley Area Planning Panel, using the casting vote of chairman Councillor Chris Greaves, rejected the plan after reports about safety and noise concerns.

The plan to build Casey's Corner, on land off Florist Street, was created and co-ordinated by site owner Sue Brewer. A great deal of time, effort and money was spent on this great example of a community initiative.

It was an idea by the people, for the people, in a bid to provide a facility sadly lacking in that community area.

So what went wrong? This newspaper has asked questions before and has still not received any answers. Why were these good people not given advice by council officers months and months ago about procedures and planning issues? Why did the Crime Reduction Unit, whose report spelled the end of the plan, not become involved earlier? Right-minded people think civil servants and elected members are there to help, not hinder, in such circumstances.

Thankfully, the campaigners have not given up. They are going to build a commemorative garden instead. If all goes to plan, plants, seating and a plaque will be placed on the triangle of land.

Financial supporters of the plan, including Bradford Vision and the National Road Safety Initiative, are still pledging their money to the garden idea and should be thanked for their unswerving backing.

Perhaps the most sinister aspect of this sorry saga was raised in a Crime Reduction Unit report made worse by "words of wisdom" imparted by the chairman.

The report gave various warnings, concluding the area was not ideal for young people to meet and congregate and ... in the event of a confrontation between rival gangs there was little or no way of escape.

After hearing the reports, Cllr Greaves added the gratuitous insult to injury, saying: "I can see every child in the street getting an ASBO. It would just need a resident to complain".

What a horrible picture that paints of the area and the young people who live there. A justification to back up the claims is needed. If not, an apology to the residents should be issued -- with Cllr Greaves remembering to engage his brain before putting his mouth in gear.

We eagerly await ideas from Bradford City Hall on how the need for a safe play area in Stockbridge -- and other areas like it -- is going to be met.

We are not holding our breaths.