A Tiny Welsh Village Struggles with Noise from Luxury Airbnb
Residents in Halkyn, a small village in North Wales with a population of less than 3,000, are facing a growing problem. The issue stems from an upscale Airbnb located in a former school house that has been transformed into a luxury rental. Locals claim the property is being used for all-night stag and hen parties, which have turned their peaceful rural life into a nightmare.
The property, known as Old School Manor, was originally built in the 19th century as two separate schools for boys and girls. It later became a factory before being purchased by Halkyn Estates Limited, a company run by Manchester businessman David Salzman. After two years of renovations, the building was opened as a holiday let in October, offering a range of luxurious amenities including eight ensuite bedrooms, a casino, cinema room, pool table, cocktail bar, and a powerful sound system.
The property is advertised as the perfect setting for celebrations such as hen parties, birthdays, and bachelorette getaways. However, residents say that the noise from these events is causing significant distress. Guy Roberts, a local resident who lives next door to the property, describes the situation as “driving us crazy.”
“The music is often on late at night and the flashing lights are like Blackpool Illuminations,” he said. “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.”
Roberts also mentioned that there have been instances of guests partying in the hot tub as early as 6:30 am, and even dancing on graves in the churchyard during the night.
Flintshire County Council has installed noise abatement equipment to monitor the situation, but locals feel it is not enough. Roberts said they have reported the noise to the police, but they are unable to take any action. He also criticized the property’s owners, claiming they should have anticipated the impact of turning the building into a party house.
“We were told it would be a holiday let for disabled children, not a nightclub,” he said. “If we had known it was going to be blatantly advertised as a party house, we would have objected.”
Despite these concerns, the property continues to attract large groups of visitors. According to the rental listing, the six-star property sleeps 24 people and is described as “the ultimate setting for celebrations.” The blurb mentions features such as a mirror ball, vibrant disco lights, and a powerful integrated sound system, all designed to create unforgettable nights of music and laughter.
However, the reality for nearby residents is far from idyllic. The property is located in an area surrounded by peaceful countryside, yet the noise from the parties disrupts the tranquility of the village. Local councillor Fran Lister acknowledged the distress caused by the property.
“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.”
Halkyn Estates Limited has responded to the complaints by installing an 11pm music curfew. However, residents claim that guests are still flouting the rules. Roberts noted that the music has been playing until as late as 1:10 am on some nights.
“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,” he added.
The company insists that they have followed all regulations and that the property was renovated to preserve its historical value. A spokesman for Halkyn Estates stated that they want to work with the community 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.”
Despite these efforts, the conflict between the property’s use and the needs of the local residents remains unresolved. As the debate continues, the village of Halkyn faces a difficult challenge in balancing tourism with the quality of life for its residents.
