DISGRUNTLED residents are calling for a skatepark to be moved after they were told it was too noisy to be placed so near to their homes.

People from Park Road in Chesham crammed into Chesham Town Council offices on Monday to discuss the new park which opened a month ago and learned that noise readings taken from inside their houses by Chiltern District Council's environmental services read at 65 decibels.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) states it should be less than 45 decibels or it is counted as a 'significant disturbance'.

Gordon Dixon, a resident from Park Road, Chesham, said residents would like it moved further away from their houses as it is 'a headache'.

He said: "It is a constant thump similar to that of a car door slamming. The idea is that we would like it moved further away. At the moment one member of the council quoted the cost of moving it would be upwards of £30,000."

He added: "The residents consider it is in the wrong position but we don't object to the skatepark and we think it is a super idea.

"The properties are all within 30 to 50-metres and so any noise travels. If you could just imagine the noise. They skate there regularly at 10 or 11pm. The enthusiastic ones are there at midnight until the early hours."

District councillor Tony Reed (Lib Dem, Waterside, Chesham) said: "There are various options open to remedy the noise, even looking at fencing it off like they do in Croxley Green."

A spokesman for the district council said: "The town council is looking at remedial measures and will report on the issue in six weeks time."

Chesham Town Council was not available for comment.