By Locals highlight ‘horrific’ noise pollution from Thorpe Park Adventure Village
There have been issues highlighted following the opening of the Adventure Village at Thorpe Park, as many locals have cited noise issues and loud music emulating from the stage.
The noise is said to stretch as far as Buck Beck Bench, with paddleboarders reportedly hearing sound coming from over a mile away. Many residents have voiced their concerns on the planning portal of NELC’s website, and many have taken to social media to discuss.
Miranda Holmes said on social media:
“Did you know Humberston Fitties Conservation and Beach SSSI Areas are now at risk?
“Locals and holidaymakers go to Humberston Fitties Conservation and SSSI beach to get away and enjoy peace, tranquility, and nature.
This wonderful and unique place has one of the last remaining plot lands in the U.K. Wildlife including water voles, bats, badgers, foxes, deer, and rare birds reside there. It has the RSPB reserve and SSSI area with coastal mudflats, salt marsh, dunes, and saline lagoons which are an important part of the Humber estuary.
“It is one of the top five estuaries for birds in the UK, with at least 175,000 birds using the estuary. Very sadly, Thorpe Park Haven Holidays think it’s acceptable to place a giant outdoor stage, screen, and massive speakers facing directly at, towards, and into the Humberston Fitties Conservation & Designated SSSI beach area!.
“Thorpe Park Haven Holidays have breached planning, but want to keep it facing directly towards Humberston Fitties Conservation and the SSSI area and have put in a retrospective planning application! They want to have blaring noise from outdoor entertainment (7 days a week 10 am-11 pm) It’s so loud that it has even been heard by paddle boarders out by the Fort,” she said.
A planning application is currently pending consideration, though numerous residents have raised objections to the plan with over 20 on the first page. In their planning submission, Thorpe Park said:
“A written noise management plan shall be in place for external events held at the premises. The noise management plan shall include measures to control noise from amplified entertainment. Measures shall include but are not limited to site layout including location and direction of any staging and speaker systems, type of noise monitoring, and a procedure for investigating noise complaints.
“The nearest noise-sensitive properties are the ‘Fitties’ located on Anthony’s Bank Road to the East of the site. To minimise the potential for a noise disturbance, the stage has been located so that the existing park building provides acoustic screening between the stage and ‘Fitties’.
“Line array speakers have been used to allow for the music to be focused on the audience and minimise overspill. The speakers have been installed at height and face down towards the audience to minimise overspill vertically, reducing the acoustic screening losses to the “Fitties” they said.
One resident contested this and said “We were staying at our chalet a few weekends ago and the noise from the stage was horrific and could be heard for miles around all weekend until very late at night. The amount of antisocial behaviour in the area was also significantly increased as people spilled out of Thorpe Park and into the Fitties.”
“There was little engagement with the local community at the outset or consideration to how this can impact on the conservation of the area and the SSSI status of the coastal area. The sounds can be heard all the way from the beach and are much higher than expected for those coming here to get away from all the noise, in order to relax and improve their health and mental wellbeing.” another added.
“The impact on wildlife from excessive sound is massive and will result in stress to the wild life and the right of species including humans to having peace in which to live. The sound goes out across the water ruining the possibility of tranquil enjoyment of the environment. ” one homeowner said.
