How much did the council have to pay due to the legal battle?

The council has been ordered to pay £130,000 to two of the residents who complained about the noise from the MUGA.

How did the community react to the demolition of the play park?

Many in the community, including a local mother named Carly Dunningham, have expressed dismay and disappointment over the decision to demolish the MUGA, which was a popular facility for children to play and get active.

Home / Lifestyle / Villagers Demolish Children's Play Park After Noise Complaints, Costing Council £130,000

Villagers Demolish Children's Play Park After Noise Complaints, Costing Council £130,000

Q: What happened to the MUGA in Chapel-en-le-Frith?

The MUGA (multi-use games area) in Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire, has been demolished after a group of villagers successfully sued the local council over the 'noise' of football games played there.

16 Nov

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Summary

Villagers sued council over 'noisy' football games at children's play park
Council ordered to pay £130,000 to two residents after legal battle
Play park in Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire, has been demolished

Villagers Demolish Children's Play Park After Noise Complaints, Costing Council £130,000

In a surprising turn of events, a children's play park in Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire, has been demolished after a group of villagers successfully sued the local council over the 'noise' of football games. The multi-use games area (MUGA) first opened in 2010 after a community fundraising campaign, but soon faced complaints from three residents about the sound of 'bouncing footballs' hitting the metal sides.

After years of legal battles, the council has now been ordered to pay £130,000 to two of the complainants following a hearing at Manchester and Salford Magistrates' Court on November 16, 2025. The decision has been met with dismay by many in the community, who enjoyed the park as a place for children to play and get active.