A meeting of Chapel-en-le-Frith Parish Council last week heard how groups of youths were congregating at the children's play area on Needham Recreation Ground.

Broken glass and used contraceptives are just some or the discarded items that have been found at the Ashbourne Lane play facility.

Now, fed-up locals are demanding the playground be closed and the play equipment removed – claiming it has become a health hazard.


Resident Stuart Hobson told councillors: "This so-called children's play area is just a focal point for drunken, yobbish behaviour. All they are doing is trashing it, and it is just diabolical.

"It happens nearly every weekend throughout the year, and some of the language from these people is diabolical. Some residents can't even sleep with their bedroom windows open.

"There is broken glass at the bottom of the slides, used condoms have been found, and they are urinating all over the place.

"It is just not a fit or safe place for children to play, and I would like to propose that the council takes it down."

Responding to the request, Cllr Michael Harrison said it would be a shame to deprive the younger children of a play area, just because of the actions of a few older children.

Chapel-en-le-Frith Police Community Support Officer Julie Shaw added: "The intention is to put an operation in place to get more police patrols up there."

It was agreed to refer the matter to the next meeting of Chapel-en-le-Frith Town Council's Amenities Committee.

Investigations will also take place into a set of by-laws – believed to have been drawn up in 1920 – which make reference to the play facility.