Parish council faces £130k costs bill after multi-use games area dispute

Chapel-en-le-Frith Parish Council was last month found breach of a noise abatement order over the multi-use games area (MUGA) in its War Memorial Park.

Three nearby residents objected to noise from it and the High Court ultimately ruled the parish council need not demolish the facilities but must reduce the disturbance they cause. The parish later decided its only solution was to demolish the facility.

Paul Stookes, solicitor-advocate at Richard Buxton Solicitors, who acted for the objectors, last month told Local Government Lawyer the council was liable to an unlimited fine for not having dealt with the MUGA when originally ordered but its subsequent demolition might mitigate this.

A parish council spokesperson confirmed the fine and costs amounts and said no further legal action was planned by the authority.

Mark Smulian