Residents who complained about "noisy" football games at a children's play park have been awarded £130,000 after successfully suing a parish council.

A small group of locals took legal action against Chapel-en-le-Frith Parish Council after taking exception to the noise coming from the sports pitch caused by ball games.

But others were left fuming after council workers decided to bulldoze the play area in the picturesque village following just three complaints from nearby homeowners.

Chapel-en-le-Frith Parish Council has now been fined £100 and ordered to pay £130,000 to two residents following a hearing at Manchester and Salford Magistrates' Court on Thursday (13/11).

Residents who complained about "noisy" football games at a children's play park in a village have been awarded £130,000 after successfully suing a parish council.

placeholder image — Residents who complained about "noisy" football games at a children's play park in a village have been awarded £130,000 after successfully suing a parish council.

The authority had previously been ordered by the High Court to reduce the noise coming from the facility back in 2022.

But they were found guilty of breaching the abatement order in July and decided to tear down the games area and skate park last month, sparking anger from locals.

One mum, who did not wish to be named, said: "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."

Diggers have been breaking up the multi-use games area (MUGA) in Chapel-en-le-Frith Memorial Park.

Mum-of-one 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."

Another resident fumed: "I live near the park and it was lovely hearing children playing and kicking a ball about.

The sports facility is being demolished after a five-year legal wrangle between a parish council and a small group of residents over noise complaints.

"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 [the complainants] has moved away from the village and I understand is now living in a city which is hardly peaceful."

Carly Dunningham, who has a 10-year-old daughter, said: "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?"

The parish council said it had made the "difficult decision" to remove the facility after residents went to court over the noise the park generated and its proximity to their homes. Parents have said they are "dumbfounded" by the move and the facility will be greatly missed.

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.”

The multi-use games area (MUGA) had been opened in the village's Memorial Park in 2010 after a community fundraising campaign.

Soon after Dr Merren Jones, Stephen Covey-Crump and David Howe lodged complaints with the council about the noise of "ball strikes, kicks and bounces" hitting the metal sides.

They claimed the MUGA breached planning guidance as it was just a few metres from the nearest house and they took the council to court in 2021.

Initially a judge ruled the complainants were “hypersensitive to noise” but a High Court judge overturned the ruling in November 2022.

Chapel Parish Council was handed an abatement order and given four months to solve the noise problem by either closing the MUGA or re-installing it further away from homes.

Locals were also left in uproar after the council put taxes up 86 per cent to help pay the “six-figure” legal fees.

The council has been approached for comment.

On its website, they stated previously: "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 five-year legal process thereby avoiding further legal costs."