Welsh Village Residents Driven to 'Wit's End' by Luxury Airbnb Party House
Locals in a small Welsh village have expressed their utter frustration, claiming they are being driven to their "wit's end" by stag and hen party revellers holding all-night celebrations at a £1.6 million former school house that has been transformed into a luxury Airbnb property. The situation has escalated to the point where residents describe their weekends as being completely ruined by the incessant noise and disruptive behaviour.
A Rural Idyll Shattered by Party Revelry
Residents in Halkyn, North Wales, which boasts a population of less than 3,000 people, report that their peaceful weekends are being severely disrupted by guests playing loud music and frolicking in an outdoor hot tub at Old School Manor both day and night. The 19th Century property, which opened as a holiday let last October following two years of extensive renovations, has become a focal point for celebrations that clash with the village's tranquil atmosphere.
The grade II listed building features eight ensuite bedrooms, a casino, a cinema room, a pool table, a cocktail bar, and a powerful sound system. Additionally, it offers an outdoor hot tub, sauna, BBQ, and fire pit in the garden. Advertised as "the ultimate setting for hen parties, birthdays, and bachelorette getaways," the property sleeps up to 24 guests and is explicitly designed with celebrations in mind.
Residents' Lives Turned Upside Down
Guy Roberts, 59, who lives next door with his wife and elderly father, stated that the constant partying with loud music and disco lights into the early hours has shattered their rural idyll and is "driving them crazy." Mr Roberts emphasised, "It's simply not a suitable use for a property in this village. The music is often on late at night and the flashing lights are like Blackpool Illuminations."
He further explained that guests typically come for weekend parties rather than peaceful week-long holidays, leading to excessive drinking, shouting, and other disruptive activities throughout the day and night. "A couple of weeks ago there were people in the hot tub at 6.30am who'd been up all night partying," Mr Roberts recounted. Another resident reported witnessing guests dancing on graves in the churchyard in the middle of the night, adding to the community's distress.
Failed Attempts at Resolution
Mr Roberts revealed that they have reported the noise to environmental health officers at Flintshire County Council, who agreed to set up noise abatement equipment to monitor the situation. However, he expressed frustration, saying, "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."
He also claimed that residents were initially told the property 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," Mr Roberts asserted. He worries that with summer approaching, frequent BBQs will provide no peace for the neighbourhood.
Owner's Response and Community Impact
Owners Halkyn Estates Limited, run by Manchester businessman David Salzman, insist they have listened to residents and have imposed an 11pm music curfew by installing a cut-off device on the property's music system. A spokesman stated, "Ultimately we want the tourism we bring to Halkyn to enhance the area. 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."
However, Mr Roberts countered that guests are flouting the rules, with music playing until 12.40am on Fridays and 1.10am on Saturdays. "We have lived here for 46 years and never had any problems before but this has changed the character of the place," he lamented. As a truck driver with a self-employed wife who needs early rest, the noise has become unbearable, even affecting his 86-year-old deaf father.
Local Authority and Historical Context
Local councillor Fran Lister acknowledged the house is causing significant upset, stating, "It's clearly very distressing. 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 originally served as 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, housing a woodworking factory and then a knitting factory before being sold to the current owners.
The owners maintain that they have done everything by the book and appreciate noise concerns, hence the shut-off system. They encourage guests to be considerate and keep noise down during unsocial hours. The spokesman added, "We understand that our neighbours have concerns and we would welcome the opportunity to work with them to find a solution that suits everybody."
