Ruddington: Confusion over decision to remove net from goalposts

The parish council said they had received complaints about balls hitting windows and cars

A recreation ground has had one of its football nets removed - after complaints from residents on a Nottinghamshire housing estate.

Campaigners fought to preserve Sellor's Recreation Ground in Ruddington, which was initially due to be built on as part of the development.

The parish council has now taken down a net after saying balls hit some houses.

Resident Rebecca Collison said: "I'm trying to make this make sense and I can't."

The playing field was donated to the parish in the 1940s

The field was donated to the parish council by a local businessman in the 1940s, specifically for the use of sport, especially by children.

Mrs Collison helped organise opposition and had the area removed from the development when it was initially included in the plans for the new estate

She was told the net had disappeared this week and asked the parish council why.

Mrs Collison said: "I thought maybe they had been stolen or got broken but I was shocked to find it was due to complaints about football.

"The obvious point is that people chose to live next to a playing field, perhaps even because they had a view over a green space.

"But for them to then decide children playing games is unacceptable shows a lack or respect for the long term residents."

Waste of money

She added: "What is really disappointing is the parish council did this without telling anyone, or apparently talking to the house builder.

"I know the village needs more houses and we want to be good neighbours, but there has to be a better compromise."

The parish council has said it is considering shifting the orientation of the pitch so the goals face away from the new houses but Mrs Collison said this would not work as there are homes on three sides.

She said: "They may end up changing them this way and that which will be a waste of time and taxpayers' money

"My fear is they will simply say 'There are too many complaints' and get rid of them completely."

'Understand frustration'

In response to Mrs Collison's inquiries, the parish council issued a statement.

It said: "We have had complaints regarding footballs hitting windows and cars on the estate that is behind Sellors. Whilst we are looking for a permanent solution to this issue we have temporarily removed the net at that end of the field.

"With the net removed, people can still play football and score goals, but it seems to prevent people from kicking the ball in that direction with the force they did previously."

The statement adds: "Whilst we understand there may be frustration due to the playing fields being present before the housing was built, that does not free the Parish Council from a responsibility to try to resolve the issue caused by the position of the goals."

The issue is expected to be discussed at a meeting at the field on 11 July, but the council has insisted it has no plans to get rid of the goals entirely.

Both the parish council and Bloor Homes have been approached by the BBC.