Colors in hot water over noise from club (From Southend Standard)

Colors in hot water over noise from club

8:54am Tuesday 26th June 2012 in Echo News By Gina Marden

A Basildon nightspot has been taken to court after keeping its neighbours awake.

Owners of the Colors nightclub, on Southernhay, Basildon appeared at Basildon Magistrates’ Court after being served with a noise abatement notice by Basildon Council.

The notice, a legal document served on people when a local authority is satisfied they are causing a nuisance, was prompted following a stream of complaints from residents living in the new nearby Icon flats development.

They complained they are being kept awake at all hours by revellers at the club using the venue’s outside seating area, which is above the Beehive pub.

The case was adjourned, and, following talks between Basildon Council and Colors, the club has agreed to put in measures to cut its noise.

They have proposed erecting a screening wall, which would act as a noise shield around the balcony, to give residents a quieter life.

A spokesman for Basildon Council said, subject to the screening being given planning permission, they are confident the issue can be resolved without returning to court in September.

He added: “A noise abatement notice was served following complaints from local residents and investigations carried out by our environmental health team.

“Following this we had a positive site meeting with the regional manager, who has proposed a scheme of works to deal with the noise issue.

“We are confident that they are serious about dealing with this matter, and that the works will help to deal with the problem."”

A spokesperson for Colors said: “As a responsible operator, we’ve worked closely with the environmental health officer and we have begun to introduce a number of measures to greatly reduce any noise issues.

“We are hopeful that this voluntary arrangement will appease the situation.”