COUNCIL officials proposed a series of dance events with pop-up bars loosely based on rave concerts in a radical bid to curb anti-social behaviour among teens in Inverclyde, the Telegraph can reveal.

Three such gatherings — one named after the long established rave/dance festival ‘Coloursfest’ — have been mooted for the former St Stephen’s High School in Port Glasgow, it’s understood.

The idea, put forward by the community development and support unit, has come in response to a prolonged spate of anti-social behaviour by youths in areas such as the Port’s Pladda Fields.

Planning was advanced to such an extent that consultations regarding the proposed events took place with Police Scotland and the local authority’s community warden service.

The move has come to light after the council’s SNP group leader Chris McEleny recently suggested that alcohol should be served to 16 and 17-year-olds within a ‘controlled’ environment as a way to combat large open-air gatherings where yobs are causing havoc.

However, following enquiries by the Telegraph the council has stated that it is now ‘not possible’ to stage the proposed dance events and the police said that plans for anything similar ‘have not been finalised’.

One source close to the developing strategy described any such event at the former St Stephen’s school as ‘bonkers’, adding: “Apart from anything else, it’s nonsense to put something like this on in an area with no obvious transport links.

“What would happen if you had large numbers of young people spilling out from this late at night?

“It’s not something that has been thought through properly at all.”

It is understood that the three proposed events were to take place at the end of July and into August as part of plans to give young people a place to go and enjoy themselves during the summer.

One was to be loosely based on Coloursfest at Braehead, which is strictly an over-18s event featuring some of the world’s biggest DJs and runs from 5pm until 4am on August 5.

The Telegraph understands that the proposed Port event was to be called ‘Colourfest’ and was to have a DJ and a pop-up bar.

But it appears that the idea has been ditched as the council now looks at other ways in which to spend a specific allocation of funding for working with young people.

A spokesman for the local authority said: “Having secured funding from the Cashback for Communities Youth Work fund we have been exploring ideas for a series of events over the school holidays.

“We have spoken to young people who say they are keen to attend outdoor events where they could enjoy live music, sports and competitions as well as socialise with friends. “These would also include awareness-raising sessions on staying safe over the summer.”

The spokesman added: “We have had discussions with partner agencies, however, given the timescales involved it would not be possible to arrange any suitable event so we are looking at other options.

“It must be stressed that anything we do involving young people is strictly alcohol and drug free and young people are not permitted to attend any event or group if they are under the influence of drink or drugs or have them in their possession.”

A council source said that to label the proposed events as rave-style would be a ‘misrepresentation’, despite acknowledgement that one was to be named after a well known rave/dance.

Inspector Julie MacDonald of Greenock police said: “Police Scotland officers recently met with colleagues from partner agencies to discuss their ideas for a series of events in the Inverclyde area during the summer period.

“Advice and guidance around the legalities and licensing laws was offered.

“These discussions are ongoing and plans have not been finalised at this time.”