Events at Critchill Manor Estate spark noise complaints

RESIDENTS living near the Critchill Manor Estate have expressed concern about the level of noise and disruption caused by weekend events held on the site.

Since the first weekend in July, bespoke venue hire and event management services company, Another World Productions have been hiring out the Critchill Manor Estate to host weddings, events and camping.

Janet Norman, who has lived in Frome all her life and lives next to the site said, “Events started in early July on the weekends and there have been around six so far. Initially we had no concerns as we were told that noise would be controlled and that after 11pm, there would be silent discos where people wear headphones to listen to the music. But this has not been the case and the noise has been terrible. We really appreciate where we live and this has heavily impacted our lives.

“During one of the first events we discovered trespassers on our land, which was a shock for us.

“The noise was so loud one weekend it woke my grandchildren up when they were sleeping. Sometimes it’s quieter to go into central Frome and visit my mother.

“It’s been the same thing for four weekends in a row, we get no downtime. We have complained to the council, but nobody seems to be listening to us.

“On the weekend of Saturday 2nd September there was an event that started at 10.15am with a soundcheck that lasted all morning.

“The main event started at 1pm with around 300 to 500 people attending. There was mayhem on the road, with vehicles straddling the road and cars parked on a blind bend. The music was pumping, pulsing and thumping all day and most of the night.

“I would encourage anyone affected by the noise and disruption to contact their local councillor or Mendip District Council, your views need to be heard.”

Another resident who preferred not to be named said, “We are horrified by what is going on. It’s not just the noise that is the issue, there is also the increase in the number of cars accessing the area when the events are being held.”

“We need to be allowed to have a say on what is going on at the estate, but when the council grant a temporary licence, the public are unable to have their say.”

Dan Hurring from Another World Productions said, “We are aware that the event on the 2nd and 3rd of September caused some aggravation with residents and we are in talks with the council about how this can be managed in the future. It was the event organisers who applied for the 2am licence from Mendip District Council. Perhaps this event was a little louder and went on longer than we would have liked.

“There have only been four nights of amplified music since the beginning of July, with one night playing music past midnight and two going on past 11pm.

“We are not aware of any significant complaints, but we do not want to cause any aggravation. We want this to be a good venue for Frome.

“We are not interested in Critchill Manor Estate becoming a festival site, we want to focus on camping and glamping and weddings.

“After our last event of the season (9th and 10th September) we plan to meet with the residents to discuss and resolve any issues.

“The site will reopen for camping and glamping in the Easter holidays next year and at present we have around three weddings booked for the summer.”

In response Mendip District Council said, “Following concerns raised by people living close to the estate, Mendip’s licensing and planning enforcement teams are in discussion with the organisers of the events to ensure they do as much as possible to prevent adverse impacts on the local community. We are also working in partnership with the police and fire service to ensure the event organisers promote public safety and together will investigate any complaints received.

“We would like to reassure residents who have concerns about events being held at this venue that we will continue to work with the organisers to ensure that they meet their responsibilities to reduce and maintain noise impacts to an acceptable level.  Residents who have concerns can contact our licensing team on 0300 303 8588 or licensing@ mendip.gov.uk”