Letter: Star Inn Noise – Others Might Feel Differently If It Happened to Them

Published on: 20 Oct, 2018
Updated on: 20 Oct, 2018

The Star Inn, Quarry Street

From C Nicholls

In response to: Council Leader ‘Under Investigation’ for Backing Star Inn Over Live Music Noise

Those commenting clearly are not suffering from noise disturbance.

If there were no complaints before why can’t there be a compromise and have either lower noise levels or finish earlier. It doesn’t seem that they are interested in compromising.

Clearly Moira MacQuaide Hall, who commented wonders why people buy properties nearby. Noise levels can change. What are acceptable levels and hours, when you buy a property, can change. Over time, the volume and the hours of noise can creep later and later. It can become unbearable when you have to live there day in and day out.

A one-off performance which you know would end by a particular time might be acceptable but it is depressing when there is no end in sight. I am sure most people would feel the same if they suddenly found this happened to them.

It is not always a case of being the residents’ fault for moving there.

Responses to Letter: Star Inn Noise – Others Might Feel Differently If It Happened to Them

Vanessa Sewell Reply

October 20, 2018 at 5:42 pm

I absolutely understand that point made here and can sympathise with people who do live within that scenario, being a local resident who myself has fought with increasingly excessive and antisocial noise over the last 11 years. But, in this case, I do side predominantly with The Star Inn.

We are not talking about a new entertainment hotspot, we are talking about an establishment that has been entertaining the local community for over 400 years. We are talking about an establishment that has held regular performances of varying genres for all our lifetimes.

Our generation will have attended many a gig there, our parents will have enjoyed a pint or two while bouncing about to another rock group, or indie band. Even our grandparents have stories of enjoying a performance or twelve at the place!

We’re not talking about a leafy cul-de-sac in a private estate here where a random rave has popped up; we are talking about a long established venue in the heart of a bustling town centre, an area that has always been frequented by patrons. It’s not a quiet side road, it’s not a residential street that has seen increased footfall due to more housing or new venues. It’s been there for as long as we all can remember and given the state of the economy and the failing high streets that in itself should be celebrated.

The venue hasn’t changed their performance times to spite the residents, they aren’t “turning up the dial”, they have their performance dates well publicised in advance and this information is easy to come by.

In this instance, I think the fault lies with the developer and the residents buying those properties. If these people can’t investigate their potential community fully, prior to committing to a lifetime there, why should anyone else accept responsibility? People have made conscious choices here, a choice to build, a choice not to soundproof efficiently, a choice to buy, a choice to live there and a choice to ignore the surrounding environment.

It’s becoming increasingly common seeing the poor results from poor choices made by developers locally; groups assuring little to no future disruptions just to develop and then find that the project is scuppered by existing problems which are generally highlighted and ignored at the planning stages. It’s not fair to penalise existing communities for the ignorant choices of others.
Regina Redpath Reply

October 23, 2018 at 6:34 pm

Well said Vanessa. I agree with all your comments, except to say that I am astonished GBC approved the change of use to residential.

Guildford desperately needs more small venues. I wish there was something we could do to reverse this unfair decision.