A FED-UP couple say they have been forced to sell their home because an "illegal" development by a charity has made their lives a misery.

Michael and Valerie Holloway, of Crystal Palace Park Road, say the noise from the St John Ambulance site opposite disturbs them and keeps them awake at night.

The volunteer site has stood in Crystal Palace Park Road, in the grounds of Grade II Listed Crystal Palace Park for more than a decade.

The charity provides non-emergency transport for Bromley Hospitals NHS Trust and was told to leave its station at Beckenham Hospital, Croydon Road, Beckenham, in March, because of redevelopment plans.

In July last year, four temporary cabins were put up there there without planning permission, which Bromley Council says is illegal and is in the process of issuing an enforcement notice against.

And despite assurances from the charity in letters to residents stating vehicles would not be used under blue light conditions, Mr and Mrs Holloway, who are both 67, say they are woken at night by sirens and the loud beeping of reversing vehicles.

Mrs Holloway, a retired social worker, said: "Is it because it is a first-aid station they assumed nobody would care if they just dumped all the vehicles here? It is making our lives a misery and we have had to put our house on the market because of it."

Claiming the temporary buildings are an eyesore, Mr Holloway said: "It is an abuse of the park which is supposed to be a recreation area and it has devalued our house."

And Crystal Palace councillor Chris Gaster added: "I am absolutely amazed an organisation, with such a high reputation which we all look up to, has behaved in this way."

A spokesman for St John Ambulance says it has received no communication from Bromley Council regarding the enforcement notice.

He says the present situation is temporary, ends in March and was needed because they were not given much notice to leave Beckenham.

The Crystal Palace Headquarters is used for volunteers and a managerial office.

The spokesman says none of the vehicles should be using sirens and, if any are, immediate action will be taken.