Taken for a ride: Towering 50ft rollercoaster to be torn down over its 'excessive' size after neighbours complained noisy cart testing was driving them loopy

A towering 50ft rollercoaster must be torn down due to its 'excessive' size after complaints from neighbours that noisy cart testing was driving them loopy.Residents in Hucknall, Nottinghamshire, told of spending the last 18 months living in the shadow of the unfinished ride – with test carts regularly whizzing around the track just yards from their homes.The attraction is being tested by Nottinghamshire-based Mellors Group, which builds and trials rides for buyers around the world.But locals claim it has become a magnet for urban explorers, while others have condemned it as an 'eyesore' and complained about the noise from constant testing.Now, almost two years after it first appeared on the skyline, the ride could finally be heading for the scrapheap.Ashfield District Council has rejected a retrospective planning application which sought to 'formalise the land as a testing and repair depot'.Planners ruled the site would be 'incongruous' and 'intrusive' because of the rollercoaster's 'excessive scale'.In its decision notice, published on October 20, the council said: 'Owing to their scale, height and visual prominence, the rollercoasters would create an overbearing and oppressive presence when viewed from nearby dwellings.' Jack Welsh, 45, said his family can see the massive 50ft-high rollercoaster from his living room in Hucknall, Nottinghamshire The attraction is being tested by Nottinghamshire-based Mellors Group - but councillors have now said it should be taken down The authority also raised concerns that the structures would detract from the Grade II-listed RAF and Rolls-Royce hangars on the site.Residents have welcomed the ruling, describing themselves as 'thrilled'.Father-of-one Jack Welsh, 45, who lives beside the track with wife Kirsty and their eight-year-old daughter Sapphire, said: 'You can see the carts zooming around the track from our living room window.'I can understand why some people have a problem with it, of course. It's big and it can see into your gardens.'It is a menace when they leave the straps out overnight. The wind catches them and the straps make a crashing sound, which can be annoying.'There was also an issue with the urban explorers and they were going on it.'Another resident said: 'Common sense has thankfully won the day and we are thrilled.'The company will dig its heels in and appeal but the council were pretty damning in their ruling. The rollercoaster was built next to a newbuild housing estate in Hucknall, Nottingham Neighbours on the 12-house road say the rollercoaster 'ruins the views' from their homes Residents on the new-build estate say they regularly see carts whizzing around the track'It's not being a NIMBY, it's about not living next to an ugly metal rollercoaster which dominates the skyline and is so intrusive.'A second neighbour added: 'Hopefully this won't be dragged out for too long - we're all sick of living next to a theme park.'Another resident, who asked not to be named, said: 'When the workmen are repairing it they can see right into your gardens and bedrooms which is a bit intrusive.'We shouldn't feel like we're being watched in our homes.'Councillor Dave Shaw, who represents Hucknall West on Ashfield District Council, hailed the decision as 'absolutely fantastic news'.Mellors Group has vowed to fight the ruling, with a spokesman saying: 'We believe there has been a misunderstanding of what we are seeking to achieve and hope to work towards an outcome that addresses the concerns raised.'James Mellors, director at the family-owned firm, previously acknowledged the rollercoaster had been up longer than usual but insisted it was temporary.He said last month: 'It's been there a lot longer than we anticipated. It's temporary, and usually, a ride would not be in position for quite as long as that has been.'It's the first one in the world, and it's just not quite been going together as well as it should.'It's frustrating for myself how long that coaster has been there. The rides don't make any money when they're in storage.'Our aim is to be a good neighbour, we're not there to try and cause a nuisance. It's not a fairground, it's a work depot.'We want people to appreciate what we do and we appreciate their concerns.'