The Borough of Poole may take legal action to prevent party house activities at three properties in Poole.
Acting on complaints from local residents about noise and anti-social behaviour, council officials have carried out investigations into six residential properties in Poole. They are considering a number of ways to take action against party houses, including the use of planning legislation.
Following their investigation, the planning officers have concluded that:
- There is sufficient evidence to take enforcement action under current planning laws on the grounds of a material change of use at one property;
- Further investigation is required to decide whether enforcement action can be taken in relation to a material change of use at second property;
- With four of the six properties, there is insufficient evidence to take enforcement action under current planning laws.
During the investigation, three of these properties were sold.
Councillor Mike White, who is Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regeneration, Borough of Poole responded to the news:
"We have tremendous sympathy for those residents whose lives have been affected by activities of these party houses. We are looking at all possible avenues to address this issue but it is a complex legal matter and there is no one piece of legislation that will provide a swift solution.
"New anti-social behaviour legislation is due to become law in October, and we will be reviewing this to see how it can help us address the problem of noise disturbance and anti-social behaviour associated with party houses."
The council is separately pursuing court proceedings as part of a noise abatement notice served against one of the six properties. Officers obtained detailed written statements from all residents who complained to the council from 2011 to 2014 of noise disturbance.
The council also circulated a neighbourhood character survey to 160 homes in the areas surrounding the six properties. They used this information to help establish whether a material change of use had occurred at these properties, which would require planning approval or some form of enforcement action.
Councillor Xena Dion, who is Portfolio Holder for a Prosperous and Sustainable Poole, Culture and Learning and Consumer Protection, and Canford Cliffs Councillor May Haines are pleased that progress has been made:
"Following several months of investigative work, further action will be taken on three out the six properties. This sends a clear message that the council is taking this matter very seriously.
"There is still much work to be done but this gives assurance to residents who have been seriously affected that the Council and the Councillors are committed to pursuing this issue."