A CREWE car park is set to be transformed into a new Youth Zone for the town.

Officers at Cheshire East Council say the Oak Street car park is the only "credible option" for a centre aimed at filling the gap in facilities for young people in the town, along with an outdoor satellite base at Mirion Street, which used to be the site of Crewe Youth Centre.

The Youth Zone will have "13 high specification equipped spaces" including a large scale sports hall, multi-use 3G pitch and a cafe and social areas.

There will also be

• a climbing wall
• boxing/fitness suites
• dance and music studios
• art workshop

Building the facilities would show young people the council is investing in their future, cut down on anti-social behaviour and help ease a mental health crisis, says Cheshire East Member of Youth Parliament Ruben Barrow.

He told Cheshire East Council's children and families committee yesterday (Monday) that there were 67 anti-social behaviour incidents in Crewe town centre during September; many of which were committed by young people.

"One challenge I know that is facing many young people is the negative stigma that is associated with young teens," he said.

"Often the reason why people commit anti-social behaviour is because they have a lack of guidance, and have nothing to do and they're just generally bored. Youth Zone would hopefully change this.

"It would give young people a safe place to meet, it will give them aspirations in life, all under the guidance of our fantastic youth workers.

"If the community gives something to young people, they'd be much more likely to give something back and make generations for us all to be proud of."

The youth representative added: "A report done by the World Health Organisation said that 9.1 per cent of all deaths under 18 was due to suicide.

"This is an unacceptable level, which is being played out across the world and in Cheshire East.

"Youth Zone would aim to change this, it would give young teens a listening ear and a voice to listen to outside of school and away from the home."

Crewe councillor Laura Smith agreed the Youth Zone would not only help with anti-social behaviour but mental health issues which, she feared, could even escalate because of the financial crisis facing families.

"The mental health problems in young people are often the cause of watching financial pressure and uncertainty and a lack of security in the household and seeing loved ones and families struggling," she said.

It is estimated the Youth Zone will cost around £9m and £2.6m of that will come from the Crewe Town Fund, on the provision of an acceptable business case.

The council could be asked to fund the scheme to the tune of £2.2m and it is estimated £4.2m could come from funds raised by Onside Youth Zone, the national charity the council would be working with.

Conservative group leader Janet Clowes said the council needed to be sure the project would be sustainable before going ahead.

"The £1.3m per annum in terms of revenue costs is not insignificant. I would want far more detail because there is no point progressing this unless we can be absolutely sure of the sustainability of it.

"It would be the worst thing in the world to raise expectations for our young people and not be able to deliver, or for it to fail in just two or three years' time. I'm sure that won't happen because we know a lot of Onside projects work very well, but some have not."

Councillors heard a business case will be prepared for consideration and the committee noted that a further children and families committee report will be prepared to seek approval for the detailed arrangements for the opening, operation and governance of the Crewe Youth Zone.

There has been a lack of provision for young people in Crewe in recent years. A Youth Support Service Hub run by the borough council in Market Street closed after lockdown and the council has vacated the premises which were damaged by flood water last year.

The well-loved Crewe Youth Centre in Mirion Street was gutted by fire in 2014 and its buildings were later demolished.

Its site will be a popular choice for a new youth venue as there have been long-standing talks about putting it back into community use.