Residents Win £130k Payout From Council After Row Over Football Park Noise

A council has paid £130,000 in compensation to two residents following a dispute over noise from a football play area. The residents, who complained about disturbance caused by games at a children's park in Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire, were awarded the money after successfully taking legal action against the parish council.

Chapel-en-le-Frith Parish Council chose to demolish the facility after receiving complaints from three residents: Dr Merren Jones, Stephen Covey-Crump and David Howe. At a hearing on Thursday at Manchester and Salford magistrates' court, the council was fined £100 and ordered to pay £130,000 to two of the complainants.

The authority had previously been instructed by the High Court in 2022 to reduce noise levels at the site. It was later found to have breached an abatement order in July, prompting the council to dismantle the games area and skate park last month — a decision that angered many local residents.

One mother, who asked not to be named, said: "I'm shocked this even reached court, and that these complainers have won. Young people need facilities and encouragement to take part in sports. Most residents supported it, but a small minority have prevailed, which we find very sad."

Resident Stuart Barber commented: "It's childish. The area should have stayed — lots of people used it. A tiny group has managed to get it removed. It's petty."

Another local added: "I don't understand how anyone can expect total silence when they live next to a public park."

The games area, built in 2010 after a community fundraising effort, drew complaints soon after from three neighbours who objected to the noise of "ball strikes, kicks and bounces" hitting the metal structure. They argued the area breached planning guidance because of its proximity to nearby homes and took the council to court in 2021.

A judge initially dismissed the case, describing the complainants as "hypersensitive to noise", but that ruling was overturned in the High Court in November 2022. The parish council was issued with an abatement order and given four months either to close the facility or relocate it further from housing.

The council later faced further criticism for raising local taxes by 86 per cent to cover its substantial legal costs. Chapel-en-le-Frith Parish Council has been approached for comment.

PM Law