A 'NEGLECTED' neighbourhood has become 'a complete and utter disgrace' as 'beautiful and expensive developments' in Port Marine have been built, a long-standing resident claims. Pat Gardener, of Quantock Road, has lived in West Hill since she was 12 day

A 'NEGLECTED' neighbourhood has become 'a complete and utter disgrace' as 'beautiful and expensive developments' in Port Marine have been built, a long-standing resident claims. Pat Gardener, of Quantock Road, has lived in West Hill since she was 12 days old.At this year's annual town meeting, the mother-of-two asked why Avon Way hall, and the surrounding area and shops, had been 'so badly neglected'.The 48-year-old is particularly concerned about the condition of the hall, which was built in 1968 and is in daily use, and its future.For decades, the building has been the hub of the community, is used by a toddlers group, senior citizens and Portishead players among others, and serves as a polling station during elections.But Mrs Gardener understands that the hall's owner has recently died and she is concerned that residents could lose their community centre, which is leased by North Somerset Council. Mrs Gardener, who works as a 999 operator for Avon and Somerset Constabulary, added: "There are three empty shops now and the area around the hall is a complete and utter disgrace compared to the beautiful and expensive developments in Port Marine. No one there would want to come anywhere near where we live."The interior of the hall is very poorly maintained. It's disgraceful the way it's been let go."It's not good enough. People in my part of town pay their taxes like anybody else."A spokesman for North Somerset Council said: "We have a 99 year lease on Avon Way Hall which runs out in December 2065. "This is a legal agreement and we are therefore confident that the hall will continue as a community facility well into the future.