Locals in a tiny Welsh village say they are being driven to their ‘wit’s end’ by stag and hen party revellers holding all-night parties at a £1.6m former school house after it was transformed into a luxury Airbnb.
Residents in Halkyn, North Wales, which has a population of less than 3,000, claim their weekends are being ruined by guests playing loud music and frolicking in an outdoor hot tub at Old School Manor day and night.
The 19th Century property opened as a holiday let last October following two-years of renovations.
Boasting eight ensuite bedrooms, a casino, cinema room, pool table, cocktail bar and ‘powerful’ sound system, the grade II listed building also features an outdoor hot tub, sauna, BBQ and fire pit in the garden.
It is advertised as ‘the ultimate setting for hen parties, birthdays, and bachelorette getaways,’ but Guy Roberts, 59, who lives next door with his wife and elderly father, said guests partying with loud music and disco lights into the early hours had shattered their rural idyll and were ‘driving them crazy.’
‘It’s simply not a suitable use for a property in this village,’ Mr Roberts said.
‘The music is often on late at night and the flashing lights are like Blackpool Illuminations.
‘People come for parties at the weekend, rather than peaceful week-long holidays.
‘There’s nothing to do around here, so people are drinking, shouting and doing whatever else all day and night.
The Old School Manor was extensively renovated before opening last October and boasts eight ensuite bedrooms, a casino, cinema room, pool table and mezzanine bar. It also has a state of the art sound system, glitter ball and disco lights
Halkyn Estates Limited, who bought the property, insist they want to work with residents to find a solution. They have installed a device to cut off music at 11pm and kept many of the old school’s impressive features, including the vaulted ceiling in the main entertaining space
An outdoor hot tub is the focal point of the Airbnb’s attractive back garden and patio
The 19th Century property opened as a holiday let last October following two-years of renovations
‘A couple of weeks ago there were people in the hot tub at 6.30am who’d been up all night partying.
‘Another resident said they saw guests dancing on graves in the churchyard in the middle of the night.
‘We are at our wit’s end with it.’
Mr Roberts said they had reported the noise to environmental health officers at Flintshire County Council who agreed to set up noise abatement equipment to monitor the situation.
He said: ‘We have reported it to the police but they can’t do anything. Flintshire County Council have set up equipment to monitor the noise but it is driving us crazy.
‘We were told it would be a holiday let for disabled children, not a nightclub. If we had known it was going to be blatantly advertised as a party house we would have objected.
‘They are going to be having BBQ’s in the summer all the time, so we wont get any peace from it.’
According to the rental listing, the six star property, which sleeps 24, has been ‘designed with celebrations in mind.’
The blurb adds: ‘A glittering mirror ball, vibrant disco lights, and a powerful integrated sound system set the scene for unforgettable nights of music and laughter.
‘With plenty of space to dance the night away, you’ll make memories to last a lifetime in a place designed just for you and your guests.’
Located 30 miles from the seaside resort of Llandudno and 15 miles from Chester, and surrounded by peaceful countryside, the listing also claims the property is a ‘truly idyllic and private retreat.’
‘Surrounded by rolling hills, open skies, and scenic walks, it’s a place to relax and unwind,’ it says.
Owners Halkyn Estates Limited, which is run by Manchester businessman David Salzman, insist they have listened to residents and have already imposed an 11pm music curfew by installing a cut-off device on the property’s music system.
But Mr Roberts said guests were flouting the rules.
‘We’ve tried to speak to the landlord, he agreed to put a device on the sound system but he said he can’t stop guests bringing their own,’ Mr Roberts added.
Truck driver Guy Roberts, 59, outside the Old School Manor Airbnb which he says is like ‘Blackpool illuminations’ at the weekend
Guests also have access to a cocktail bar and pool table
‘Last weekend the music was going until 12.40am on the Friday and 1.10am on the Saturday.
‘We have lived here for 46 years and never had any problems before but this has changed the character of the place.
‘I’m a truck driver, my wife is self-employed and has to work early so we need our rest. The noise is so bad even my 86-year-old dad, who is deaf, is bothered by it.’
Local councillor Fran Lister agreed the house was causing upset.
‘It’s clearly very distressing,’ she said. ‘I remember when this went through planning as a holiday let and we had no objections as long as it’s not too noisy for the neighbours.
‘It’s not fair that they are feeling this impact.’
Built in 1849 by the Duke of Westminster, Old School Manor started life as two separate boys’ and girls’ schools, before being sold to the Diocese of St Asaph in 1912.
It closed as a school in 1953 and was converted for commercial use in the 1980s, when it housed a wood working factory, then a knitting factory, before being sold to the current owners.
A spokesman for Halkyn Estates said they wanted to work with residents to find a solution.
‘Ultimately we want the tourism we bring to Halkyn to enhance the area,’ the spokesman said.
‘This was a grade II listed building that was falling into disrepair. We spent £1.6 million to buy the building and refurbish it – preserving it for the community.
‘We even included original artefacts, furniture and school photos in the interior.
‘We have done everything by the book and we appreciate the issues around noise which is why we installed a shut-off system.
‘Guests are advised to be considerate of our neighbours and to ensure noise is kept down during unsocial hours.
‘Between being a school and a holiday let the site was a factory and still had planning classification as one. That would have created a lot more noise.
‘We understand that our neighbours have concerns and we would welcome the opportunity to work with them to find a solution that suits everybody.’
