Fun park faces threat over noise

A noise consultant has been testing levels at the park

A Devon family fun park could be forced to close some of its rides because of planning issues and complaints about screams from visitors.

Crealy Great Adventure Park near Exeter, which attracts about 500,000 visitors a year, said it did not need planning permission for four rides.

However, East Devon Council says four of the park's rides do not have the correct authorisation.

East Devon councillors will hear a report later.

Despite claiming the rides did not need permission, park bosses are applying to planners for authorisation to introduce some noise reduction measures around the rides.

It is not like a children's playground, it is 12 to 15 people screaming, shouting and swearing all at once Terry Adams

The council says four of Crealy's rides, the El Pastil rollercoaster, the Queen Bess Pirate Ship, the Princes Train Track and Tractor Yard, do not have the correct planning permission.

In June 2008 a council meeting gave authorisation to take enforcement action, meaning it could stop Crealy from operating the rides and insist they take them down.

Enforcement action has been on hold while a noise consultant carried out an assessment of the rides.

Terry Adams, who lives close to Crealy, told BBC News: "I can hear the noise inside my house with the windows closed sometimes.

"It is not like a children's playground, it is 12 to 15 people screaming, shouting and swearing all at once."

A planning officer's report recommends giving Crealy a deadline of 30 January to submit draft proposals for the noise reduction works.

'Not silent'

The report adds: "A further concern is that Crealy remains of the opinion that the rides are lawful and seems unwilling to prejudice this position by agreeing to submit planning applications for the retention of the rides."

Angela Wright one of attraction's owners, said she was told the rides were exempt from planning permission, but the park would apply for permission if enforcement action was taken.

Plans were already in place to reduce noise with screens and planning permission would be sought for those.

"People are not silent when they are having fun," she said.

"We have been working with the council to reduce noise."