Car parks at Crabtree Plantation, Lime Pits closed overnight

Car parks at the Lime Pits and Crabtree Plantation closed yesterday evening for the first time in a bid to crackdown on "persistent" anti-social behaviour.

They will close every night at 8pm and reopen the following morning at 7am until October 31.

In the winter, they will close at 5pm and reopen at the same time.

Speaking last month after the authority announced the move, Cllr Mark Ruffell said that maintaining residents' safety was "paramount".

He said: "These two much-loved areas are incredibly popular with residents in the borough with beautiful walking and running routes, wonderful wildlife to enjoy, and fun outdoor play equipment for families.

"They form part of our vision to develop a master plan for the natural environment covering the whole area between Old Basing and Basingstoke.

“Maintaining residents’ safety at these sites and ensuring they can be enjoyed by all is paramount.

"These measures have been introduced to counter persistent antisocial behaviour by a small number of people and we will continue to have the areas visited by our community safety patrol officers.

"Installing the gates at both car parks and introducing overnight closures forms part of this approach to reducing and preventing incidents at both sites.”

This is part of a pilot project in response to ongoing concerns from residents over antisocial behaviour at these sites in the evenings. The areas will still be accessible by foot during the car park closures.

Originally part of the Hackwood Estate, Crabtree is an important site for butterflies, woodland and grassland habitat. It also features a play area and links to Black Dam Ponds and Basing Common.

Once part of a private estate, the Lime Pits now provides an opportunity for walking, playing and picnicking. The site forms part of the Basingstoke Canal Heritage Footpath Trail, running across Basingstoke common and finishing at Basing House.

It follows a route rich in wildlife and cultural heritage.