An outdoor sports court has been permanently closed because of “regular complaints of noise” and a lack of use.

Walmer Town Council (WTC) has shut the multi-use games area (Muga) in Drill Field, near Cornwall Road, to address the issues raised.

It says unlocking and locking the facility was also costing £1,200 a year, which it said was not a “cost-effective use” of taxpayers’ money.

But local residents say the Muga is needed, and have said the closure makes “no sense”.

One of them, Peter Inglis, told KentOnline: “It’s needed because the kids and teenagers use this site a lot, especially in the evenings after school.

“I take my disabled son down here a lot.

“He likes to shoot some hoops sometimes, and it’s an easy place to take toddlers for free.

“There’s no point in having this place locked.

“A lot of people have commented about this, and people have emailed, too.

“So obviously my family are not the only people using this site.”

WTC started a consultation on the future of the Muga in July 2024.

They say this showed that only a small number of people were using the facility.

A spokesman for the council said: “The decision was taken based on a few factors.

“We ran a survey on the usage of the Muga and found that only a minimal number of people were using the facility.

“When this was combined with the cost of opening the facility, members felt that this was no longer a cost-effective usage of the taxpayers' money.

“Walmer Town Council received regular complaints about the noise from the facility from the neighbours about the facility.

“Another factor the council took into account was that down the road there has been significant investment in the facilities at both Victoria Park and Marke Wood.

“This includes Walmer Town Council investing £25,000 into a project with Dover District Council to deliver significant improvements to the play park at Marke Wood.

“The land is currently included as part of the Drill Field, which Walmer Town Council leases to Deal, Betteshanger and Walmer Rugby Club for use as their home pitch.

“There are no plans to sell any part of the Drill Field, all of which is leased to the rugby club.”

The Muga will remain locked and unused by the public for the foreseeable future, and there are no plans to demolish the site.

WTC adds that the rugby club may use it for training.