OUTRAGED villagers have slammed a group of “moaning killjoys” after a kids’ park was bulldozed over just three noise complaints.
Two residents in the small Derbyshire town have now been awarded £130,000 after they sued the parish council over their noise complaints.
The ruling at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court last week marked the end of a five-year legal battle between the two noise-sensitive men and Chapel-en-le-Frith Parish Council.
Locals have slammed the decision as “a joke”, and said they were disappointed it has resulted in the multi-use games area (MUGA) in War Memorial Park being torn down.
Stuart Barber, 78, said: “I think it’s a bit childish what they’ve done. It should have been kept, a lot of people used it.
“Such a small group of people have managed to change something so petty, it’s a joke.”
Residents reported they were outraged by the petty complaints, as that area of the park was valuable for local children and families.
Sarah, 51, said: “I used to bring my son here when he was a toddler. He’s 13 now and he would have used it during the winter. Loads of kids used it.
“It was a shock to see the bulldozers tearing it up. It’s sad really because it’s yet another place where kids can’t go.
“You’re talking about getting kids into sport and it’s taking it away.”
The games area was opened in 2010, following a community fundraising campaign.
Soon after, Dr Merren Jones, Stephen Covey-Crump and David Howe first lodged their complaints with the council, citing the noise of “ball strikes, kicks and bounces” hitting the metal slides.
The three men initially took the council to court in 2021, claiming the games area breached planning guidance as it was located just metres from the nearest house.
While the first judge denied their claim, arguing the complainants were “hypersensitive to noise”, this was later overturned on appeal by a High Court judge in November 2022.
The parish council was given an abatement order and a deadline of four months to resolve the noise problems, either by closing the games area, or moving it further away from homes.
After failing to complete either of these measures, the council were found guilty of breaching the abatement order and decided to tear down the games area and skate park last month.
Residents have been “gobsmacked” by the sight of bulldozers tearing down the valued games area as a result of the decision.
Carly Dunningham, who has a 10-year-old daughter, responded to the outcome: “We are dumbfounded by this decision to demolish the MUGA.
“A facility for the community has gone, so I would like to ask them [the people who complained] how they feel?”
Another angry resident said: “I live near the park and it was lovely hearing children playing and kicking a ball about.
“I can’t understand the mentality of some people who expect complete silence while living next to a public park.
“What is just as galling is I know that one of them has moved away from the village and I understand is now living in a city which is hardly peaceful.”
Locals have also been forced to pay the price of the battle, after the council put taxes up by 86 per cent to help cover the legal fees.
One mum, who did not wish to be named, raged: “I’m gobsmacked that a case like this even got to court and these moaning killjoys have won.
“Youngsters need facilities like these and to be encouraged into sports and the majority of residents welcomed it.
“Instead the minority have prevailed and we find it very sad.”
A statement from Chapel-en-le-Frith Parish Council, from September, read: “Following a recent court hearing, the Parish Council has made the difficult decision to remove the MUGA from the War Memorial Park.
“This decision has not been taken lightly, and we share in the disappointment felt by many in the community.
“However, we believe it is the most sensible course of action to abate the noise and resolve a 5 year legal process thereby avoiding further legal costs.
“While this change is regrettable, it also gives us the opportunity to review the War Memorial Park as a whole, as well as our neighbouring parks across the parish.
“We want to ensure our green spaces reflect the needs of the whole community, both now and for the future.
“We will be carrying out a community consultation in early 2026, where residents will be invited to share their views and have a voice in shaping what facilities they would like to see in our parks.
“In the meantime, we are also exploring alternative temporary spaces that can be made available for community use while longer-term plans are developed.
“Thank you for your understanding and support as we take these next steps together.”
