Residents have won a battle with Maidstone council over a skate park being built opposite their homes.

Neighbour Jane Cook said she had no warning about the construction, at Gatland Recreation Ground, and her young family was struggling to sleep at night due to noise from youths using the metal ramps late at night.

Last week it was still in the process of being built, a stone’s throw away from a row of around 15 houses.

But on Tuesday, following complaints, the skate park was dismantled and a consultation begun into where it should go.

Mrs Cook, 38, of Elmstone Lane said: “Living in front of a park you get used to people being in it but this was going on late into the night.

“I’ve had to have my windows shut in 30 degree heat otherwise my children can’t get to sleep, and because of the language coming from outside.”

Closing the windows is worrying for the mum-of-two as four-year-old daughter Emily suffers from seizures brought about by fevers.

Mrs Cook continued: “I’m sure a skate ramp would be wonderful, but it is a massive park and they put it right outside my house.

“It was ruining my view and pretty much wrecking my life. It is great they have taken it down and we will definitely be voicing our concerns in the consultation.”

Now, after listening to neighbours’ worries, Maidstone council is looking for an alternative location.

A council spokesman said: “It’s important to put a skate ramp in the park as there are very limited facilities for teenagers in the area. It’s something which has been campaigned for locally and is supported by the local police community support officer.

“When we’ve identified a potential site we will consult with residents and the teenagers who would use the skate ramp.

“We’ll look into putting a different surface on the skate ramp to reduce noise. We’ll also look at other potential uses for the tarmac pad where the skate ramp had been placed.”