GB News
Residents of a small Welsh village say they have been pushed to breaking point by rowdy stag and hen parties at a luxury holiday let. The Grade II-listed Old Church School in Halkyn, Flintshire, was converted from a Victorian schoolhouse into an upmarket Airbnb for 24 guests, opening its doors in October 2025 following a two-year renovation project costing £1.6million. Since then, locals in the village of fewer than 3,000 people claim their lives have been blighted by revellers playing music at all hours, splashing about in an outdoor hot tub through the night, and filling the air with noise that has shattered their rural peace. The property, marketed as ideal for hen parties and birthday celebrations, has left neighbours feeling utterly exasperated. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Guy Roberts, a 59-year-old lorry driver who has resided next door for 46 years, said the constant disturbances were "driving them crazy" and had fundamentally altered the village's character. "The music is often on late at night and the flashing lights are like Blackpool Illuminations," Mr Roberts said. He described how guests have been spotted in the hot tub at half past six in the morning after partying through the entire night, while another villager reported seeing revellers dancing on graves in the nearby churchyard during the small hours. Mr Roberts, who lives with his wife and 86-year-old father, stressed that both he and his self-employed spouse desperately need proper rest for their work. Remarkably, even his elderly father, who is deaf, has been troubled by the racket. "The noise is so bad my dad, who is deaf, is bothered by it," Mr Roberts told the BBC. The property has been specifically designed with celebrations in mind, featuring a glittering mirror ball, vibrant disco lights, and a powerful integrated sound system alongside a casino, cinema room, pool table and cocktail bar. Its promotional material promises "unforgettable nights of music and laughter" with ample space to "dance the night away". LATEST DEVELOPMENTS Neighbour row erupts over newbuild six-bed mansion after homeowner ordered to demolish it TWICE Council forced to pay back thousands after overcharging restaurants in seaside town to put tables outside Homeowner slammed as 'un-neighbourly' after not allowing neighbour to park in HER spot While the owners have installed a device that automatically cuts off the music system at 11pm, Mr Roberts said guests were simply ignoring the restrictions. "The landlord agreed to put a device on the sound system but he said he can't stop guests bringing their own," Mr Roberts explained. He reported that music continued until 12.40am on a recent Friday and 1.10am the following Saturday. With portable speakers circumventing the curfew, the music is "often on all day," according to Mr Roberts, who warned that peak season has not yet arrived. Local Liberal Democrat councillor for the Brynford and Halkyn ward Fran Lister acknowledged the situation was causing significant upset among residents. "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 the neighbours are feeling this impact." Halkyn Estates Limited, the company behind the renovation, maintained it had acted properly throughout and was keen to resolve the dispute. A spokesman said the building had been deteriorating before their intervention and that they had preserved original artefacts, furniture and school photographs from its educational past. "We have done everything by the book and we appreciate the issues around noise which is why we installed a shut-off system," the spokesman said. The company added that it welcomed the chance to collaborate with neighbours on finding an acceptable compromise. Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
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