Leyton Orient FC is facing growing concerns from local residents over excessive noise emanated from their Brisbane Road stadium, as over 20 complaints have been filed with Waltham Forest Council. The culmination of these grievances has led to the scheduling of a licensing hearing as the club navigates through allegations of disturbing the peace, primarily related to loud music and cheering.
The complaints reveal the scale of the issue, as residents express being "kept awake" and unable to enjoy quiet evenings due to noise attributed to events hosted at the stadium, which has been home to Leyton Orient since 1937. The club is licensed to play music until 1:30 AM, and the recent spate of events has raised eyebrows. Reports indicate the number of events surged from 38 held during the entire 2022 season to 67 within just the first eight months of 2023, averaging around eight events monthly.
Residents Jonathan and Mette Barker, who initiated the licensing review, communicated their distress to the council, saying, "We accept, and always have,that we live by a football stadium and we will have noise related to it. But since 2021, we have endured overwhelming noise pollution due to the club's significant increase in noisier activities." They highlighted how unbearable the noise had become during certain months, making their homes nearly intolerable.
Concerns voiced by other neighbors echo this sentiment, describing instances where they could make out song lyrics clearly, even with windows shut. One individual noted, "The bass is so loud it makes it hard to hear the TV during the evening." Another stressed the need for balance, stating, "We understand the stadium is here, but how can it be justified for us to live through this explosion of noise every single season?"
The issue escalated to the point where the council’s air quality and environmental protection service intervened. They responded to complaints with inspections of the noise levels at the stadium, confirming on three separate occasions, between December 2023 and May 2024, the findings constituted what could be described as "statutory nuisance." The findings suggest residents’ allegations are serious enough for the council to act on.
Looking for solutions, the neighbors have proposed several stringent measures to be applied to the club’s license. They advocate limiting entertainment activities to specific hours, reducing them to just one music event monthly, ensuring all doors and windows are closed during these events, and even suggested the installation of noise limiters. They want the licensing committee to seriously evaluate their requests at the scheduled hearing on November 26.
Mark Devlin, the Chief Executive of Leyton Orient, has so far remained noncommittal about the situation, opting to withhold comments until after the council hearing. His response on social media hinted at the club not being initially informed of the complaints, stating, "The club will save its response for when we go before the licensing committee. Save to say, the club has not been asked for a response."
The conflict between Leyton Orient’s operations and residents’ right to tranquility showcases broader challenges urban football clubs face. The growth and popularity of clubs often come with heightened activity levels, but it becomes imperative to strike the right balance to maintain community relationships without overstepping. Fans and residents alike have expressed varied opinions, with some online users arguing those who choose to move near sports venues should be prepared for associated noise.
Responses from the public on social media highlight this divide. Some comments reflect the sentiment of local loyalty and acceptance of noise, with users commenting on how residents ought to be accustomed to living next to a football stadium for nearly 80 years. Others criticize the newer residents for purchasing property near the stadium without considering the inherent noise factor.
Even as Leyton Orient prepares for the eventual licensing review, this issue illuminates the struggles of maintaining harmony between growing football culture and the comfort of neighboring residents. Finding common ground will be key, ensuring both the club's activities can thrive alongside residents' rights to peaceful living.
