NBTTT: noisy neighbours

Morning all

Quick update. I had a lovely chat with someone from the council yesdee (thanks norway for suggesting early contact be made). A foo things emerged.

- the restaurant is on their radar already. Sounds like they have had a number of other complaints. (I bet from the flats on the other side of it from me - some of those are almost on top of it, and it must be soooo loud.)
- apparently the council extended the restaurants opening hours at weekends through gritted teeth. They saw the submissions from residents about music/drunk people in the street and took them seriously, but they have limited legal provision to deny requests to extend hours (different department does opening hours under different legislation). So they had to allow.
- but they seem fully aware that the volume/duration of music at weekends is unacceptable and almost certainly in breach of the restaurants licence.
- apparently, given its location, the original grant of the licence contained a provision for music only so long as this was not audible beyond the boundary of their property. (lady I spoke to knew this without looking it up while I was on the phone - which makes me think they are actively looking at the situation already.)
- council seem fully aware that this condition is not being adhered too (a long way over that line, very regularly).
- she advised me not to bother trying to resolve it myself(!). I got the sense they know the owners quite well and believe they will just soft soap me, then carry on anyway. They basically just said call the "noise squad" as soon as they start up this weekend, and they'll take action.
- she also said that they're seeing similar problems all over town. Lots of venues applying for late licence, which they can't stop, but then having crazy parties late into the night in buildings that are simply not designed to contain the noise and are surrounded by folk trying to sleep (i.e. not just in the centre of town, where you might expect more of it/be more tolerant). They are planning action to stop this, as they're worried the place is going to get a reputation as a "party town" where people travel to cut loose, drink, puke, fight etc.

Let's see where we get to, but have to say it was far more helpful/constructive than I was expecting.

Chairs again for all the thoughts and advice folks.

The USH family

PS I have bought a sound meter anyway. The kids are already sick of me telling them to pipe down as they are over prescribed statutory maximums!

Posted By: Under soil heating, Feb 9, 09:15:10