A NEW community group has sprung up in a bid to monitor a controversial Holme Valley beauty spot.

Cliff Rec at Holmfirth has been at the centre of complaints about under-age drinking and littering.

But in June residents renewed calls for the stone shelter at the rec to be demolished amid complaints gangs of youths were holding wild parties at the rural site.

Accusations of drug use were investigated by police but none were found and no arrests have ever been made.

Now the new group, likely to be called Friends of Cliff Rec, plan to keep an eye on the hot spot and liaise with local police and councillors.

A spokesman for the group said: “Residents’ concerns have now been calmed after meetings with Neighbourhood Police who report that all the people spoken to were our own local youth.

“There was no evidence of drugs, although alcohol had been confiscated or poured away.

“This is the ongoing problem which local and national initiatives are aiming to reduce.

“The aims of the Cliff group will be to try to ensure the upkeep of the area and to bring people together to liaise with local schools, youth and community organisations and Kirklees Council Support Services.

“A local network will monitor groups of youngsters and try to ensure that their behaviour does not cause concern or result in damage to themselves or others.

“If alcohol is a problem the police will have to be involved.

“Cliff Rec was labelled notorious in some press articles, but it remains a beautiful moorland venue with views in all directions, particularly over Holmfirth towards Holme Moss, Black Hill and West Nab.

“Local people and council staff can well understand the attraction.”

Earlier this year, following the complaints and a number of heated public meetings a campaign to have the shelter axed began.

Clr Donald Firth told the Express and Chronicle he wanted to see the anti-social hot spot removed.But in early August a shift of public opinion saw Kirklees councillors decide against demolishing the ancient stone shelter.

It was the second time in recent years that councillors had resisted calls to remove the shelter.

A guide book to Holmfirth from around 1910, reveals the then District Council acquired the four-acre field on the top of Cliff as a recreation ground in 1907.

Guided walks and independent walkers regularly pass through the Rec and Kirklees Council has indicated that new fencing is set to be installed on the cliff edge.

To get involved contact: Keith Melbourne, Community Worker, Kirklees Council Community Support Services - Tel: 01484 225709