Noise row erupts in Hampshire market town over ‘constant screaming’ from care home

Noise row erupts in Hampshire market town over ‘constant screaming’ from care home Neighbours claim they have endured ‘five years of hell’ and are unable to even open their windows - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments A noise dispute has erupted in a Hampshire market town, where residents claim that a care home for adults with learning difficulties has subjected them to "five years of hell" due to constant "screaming, shouting and swearing". Homeowners living near Bishops Farm in Bishop's Waltham claim that the disturbances, occurring at all times of day, prevent them from opening their windows. Acorns Health Care has operated Bishops Farm since 2020, providing round-the-clock care for four adults with learning difficulties. In response to the complaints, the care home has applied for retrospective planning permission to continue housing these adults and proposes installing a 2.2-metre high acoustic fence to mitigate the noise. However, irate neighbours have dismissed the proposed fence as "futile", arguing it would not block noise emanating from the top floor and would be "visually intrusive". Bishops Farm also suggested planting trees along the boundary to help, but residents claim these would take too long to grow to be effective. Despite the ongoing concerns from the community, the plans have been recommended for approval to the Winchester City Council Planning Committee. Hailey East, whose property is two doors down from the care home, objected to the application due to the noise. She said: "The suggestion that the residents create no more noise than any other household is both narrow-minded and inaccurate. "By the very nature of the complex health needs, the patients will inevitably generate noise. I have lived next to the care home for four years, and I can confirm that this is unavoidable. "The idea of installing fencing with acoustic baffling feels futile. At times, the noise from the property is so loud that I can hear it clearly from inside my home - even whilst sitting in my dining room, which is situated in the middle of my house. "I have also heard screams from my bathroom, which is the point furthest from the care home. Given this, I do not believe a fence would make a meaningful difference." Ben Crook, another neighbour, said: "The suggestion to install fencing with acoustic noise control is not an acceptable solution. Such fencing would be visually intrusive, reduce natural daylight, and fundamentally alter the character of the area. "More importantly, it would not address the core issue. The noise from the property is frequently loud enough to be heard clearly from inside our home, with all doors and windows closed, despite us living opposite the care home. "This demonstrates that the disturbance is far beyond what any fencing could realistically mitigate." Andrew Phillips said that his family has had to keep all their windows closed and his son no longer uses the garden because of the noise. He said: "We as neighbours to Bishops Farm strongly object to this retrospective planning application. We have had five years of hell from noise disturbances coming from the property from both tenants and carers. "Tenants screaming to communicate, carers having what can only be described as 'having a party' every time there's a shift change. "Our son has not used our garden for the last five years since Acorns’ occupation of the property due to the noises that come from the property and the 'unsafe feeling' it gives him. "We no longer open our rear-facing windows or patio doors because of the issues with Bishops Farm even going to the point of having to fit air conditioning to keep our house cool in the summer months. "We were never consulted by the council or Acorns Health Care on the intended use of the property. The property was once a nice 5-bed farmhouse which was fitting for its location. "It has now manifested into a property unfit for its location, layout, and more importantly, for the well-being of the occupants of the adjoining properties." Local resident Demelza Petterson said: "The request for objectors to consider tenant wellbeing in the event of potential removal is only necessary because Acorns chose to utilise the property as supported living without first securing the appropriate change of use. "This decision has misled neighbours, many of whom purchased their homes on the understanding – based on surveys – that the property was designated as a standard residential dwelling. "No opportunity was given to assess the impact that a supported living facility might have on our lives. Such a facility is not suitable for all, and individual circumstances, including mental health considerations, are factors people weigh carefully when choosing where to live. "Acorns now seeks our trust, suggesting that trees and acoustic fencing will resolve complaints, yet these measures do not address the substantive issues raised. Nor have been supported with any documentation they will add the desired benefit." Anthea Plowman, who lives on the same street as the care home, said: "I purchased my house in 2021, completely unaware that Bishops Farm was a care home for people with severe learning disabilities. "My solicitors' search didn't pick this up as Bishops Farm wasn't registered as a care home. Since moving in, I have been disturbed by lengthy outbursts. "These outbursts happen at all times of the day and night. The noise fills me with dread and anxiety and has a very negative effect on my wellbeing. "One male resident stands at an open upstairs window rocking and shouting at the top of his voice for prolonged periods of time. "Residents also violently throw objects out of the windows and over the wall into Poppy Close, which is obviously frightening and a danger to us and our vehicles. "I am concerned that the care home is revealing that residents just have 'learning disabilities' however, these residents are highly disturbed people with complex needs. "In my opinion, this location is not fit for purpose and as such I fully object to this property being used as a care home and I fully object to a retrospective change of use to allow the premises to be used for supported living for up to 4 adults with learning difficulties." The application will be decided by the planning committee at a later date. Acorn Health Care has been approached for comment. Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments