An increasing number of residents are reporting problems of noise nuisance and antisocial behaviour associated with flats and houses being let out as party venues and in particular stag and hen dos.
We are pressing the council to review the legal advice to their planning officers in the light of an Appeal Court Judgement which allows them to view this type of letting a “change of use” requiring planning permission.
We are also asking the police and local authority for assurances that they will be looking at the provisions of the Antisocial Behaviour, Crime and Police Act 2014 which becomes law this month to consider their use in tackling this problem.
In the meantime we are urging affected residents’ to complain regularly to BANES Environmental Protection Team who can be reached via Council Connect. It is really important that there is a body of officially recorded complains that can be referred to in any enforcement proceedings.